Gui applications for use with 3d remote controller

ABSTRACT

A remote wand for controlling the operations of a media system is provided. The wand may be operative to control the movement of a cursor displayed on screen by the position and orientation at which the wand is held. As the user moves the wand, the on-screen cursor may move. The user may use the wand to control a plurality of operations and applications that may be available from the media system, including for example zoom operations, a keyboard application, an image application, an illustration application, and a media application.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/967,835, filed Sep. 7, 2007, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to controlling a media system using a remotecontroller.

Some existing media systems may be controlled using a variety ofdifferent input mechanisms. For example, some media systems may becontrolled by a user providing inputs directly on an interface of themedia system (e.g., by pressing buttons incorporated on the mediasystem, or by touching a touch-screen of the media system).

As another example, some media systems may be controlled by a userproviding inputs remotely from the media system (e.g., using a remotecontroller). Some remote controllers may include one or more buttonsthat the user can press to direct the media system to perform one ormore operations. The buttons may be operative to automatically performone or more media system operations, or the buttons may be operative toselect options displayed on-screen. In some embodiments, some remotecontrollers may provide the user inputs associated with the one or morebuttons to the media system using a short-range communications protocol,such as, for example, infrared or radio frequency protocols. To ensurethat the user input is properly received, the user may point the remotecontroller to a receiver of the media system to transmit the user input.

Although such existing remote controllers may be sufficient to controlmany media system operations, it would be desirable to provideadditional mechanisms by which a user can control media system displays.In particular, it would be desirable to provide a mechanism by which theuser's movements of a wand may be operative to remotely provideinstructions for the media system to perform one or more operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A media system in which a user may control a media application operationby moving a wand is provided.

The media system may include an electronic device, a screen, and a wand.The electronic device may be operative to provide a media application tothe user. The electronic device may direct the screen to display theinterface of the media application so that the user may interact withthe with the media application.

The user may interact with the media application using the wand. In someembodiments, the movements of the wand may be operative to controloperations of the media application. For example, the wand may transmitinformation identifying the movements of the wand to the electronicdevice. In some embodiments, the user may provide instructions on aninput interface of the wand to control operations of the mediaapplication.

The media system may identify the movements of the wand using anysuitable approach. For example, at least one motion detection component(e.g., an accelerometer or a gyroscope) may be incorporated in the wand.When the user moves the wand, the at least one motion detectioncomponent may detect the motion, and identify information related to theoutput. The wand may then transmit the identified information to theelectronic device. For example, the wand may transmit the output of theat least one motion detection component to the electronic device. Asanother example, the wand may determine, based on the output of the atleast one motion detection component, the amount and orientation of themovement of the wand, and transmit the determined amount andorientation. In some embodiments, the wand may provide movementinformation to the electronic device each time the user moves the wand(e.g., transmit as soon as the output of the at least one motiondetection component exceeds a threshold), the wand may continuouslytransmit the output of the at least one motion detection component, orthe wand may only transmit the output of the at least one motiondetection component in response to first receiving an input on an inputmechanism of the wand (e.g., press a button and move the wand).

As an example of another approach for identifying the movements of thewand, the wand or the electronic device may determine the absoluteposition of the wand relative to one or more infrared modules positionedadjacent the screen. The wand may include an optical component forcapturing images of the infrared modules, and may calculate itsorientation and distance from the modules based on the captured images.In some embodiments, the electronic device may direct the infraredmodules to identify the position of an infrared emitter incorporated onthe wand (e.g., by sequentially capturing images of the wand), and maycalculate the absolute position of the wand relative to the infraredmodules (e.g., using triangulation algorithms).

The media system may be operative to receive a transmission from thewand indicating that the wand was moved. The media system may identify,based on the received transmission from the wand, a media applicationoperation to perform. For example, the media system may change theposition of a cursor on the screen based on the movement of the wand(e.g., to follow the movement of the wand). As another example, themedia system may perform an operation with a media playback application,image application, or illustration application. As still anotherexample, the media system pay provide a keyboard application by whichthe user may select and enter characters (e.g., to login to the mediasystem).

In some embodiments, the media system may provide a flashlightapplication by which only a portion of the screen is illuminated. Theuser may control the illuminated portion of the screen by moving thewand. For example, as the user moves the wand, the wand may transmitinformation identifying the movement of the wand. In response toreceiving the information identifying the movement of the wand, themedia system may change the portion of the screen that is illuminated tofollow movement of the wand.

In some embodiments, the media system may change the size of the contentdisplayed on the screen (e.g., zoom the content) in response toreceiving an instruction from the wand. For example, in some embodimentsthe user may provide an input on an input mechanism of the wand (e.g., atouchpad or a button) to direct the content displayed on the screen tobe zoomed. As another example, the media system may determine whetherthe user has moved the wand towards the screen (e.g., using the outputof a motion detection component, or by determining the position of thewand relative the screen using infrared modules). In some embodiments,only specific media application displays may be zoomed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention, its nature andvarious advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative media system by which auser may control the display of a screen based on the orientation of aremote wand in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a wand in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an illustrative wand in accordance withone embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative display screens showing the movement of acursor in response to the movement of a wand in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views of a wand that may include a compassin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative display screen of a main menu in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative display screen having additional selectableoptions in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative display screen showing a selected option inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative display screen showing an approach forproviding a user selection to the electronic device in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative display screen showing an approach forperforming another electronic device operation in response to aparticular movement of the wand in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 13 is an illustrative display screen of a photo application inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is an illustrative display screen of a photograph selected bythe user for display in full screen in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 15 is an illustrative display screen of a photograph in a zoomedout display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is an illustrative display screen of a photograph in a zoomed indisplay in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is an illustrative display screen of a different portion of aphotograph in a zoomed in display in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 18 is an illustrative display screen of a plurality of images inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is an illustrative display screen of a plurality of images in azoomed in display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for providing zoomfunctionality in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is an illustrative display screen of user selection of aflashlight application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 22 is an illustrative display screen of the flashlight applicationin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is an illustrative display screen of the flashlight applicationwhen a user pulls the wand away from the screen in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 is an illustrative display screen of a flashlight applicationwhen a user pushes the wand to the screen in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 25 is an illustrative display screen of a flashlight applicationwhen a user points the wand at an angle towards the screen in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 is an illustrative display screen of a flashlight application inwhich the flashlight beam is dark in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 27 is an illustrative display screen of a flashlight application inwhich the flashlight beam is dark and in which the wand is held at anangle to the screen in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 28 and 29 are illustrative displays of a flashlight application asa user moves the wand to change to orientation of flashlight beam inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 30 and 31 are other illustrative displays of a flashlightapplication as a user moves the wand to change to orientation offlashlight beam in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for a flashlightapplication in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 33 is an illustrative display screen that a user may cause toscroll in any direction in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 34 and 35 are illustrative display screens of displays that may bescrolled horizontally in the left and right directions, respectively, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 36 and 37 may be illustrative display screens of displays that arepaged horizontally in the left and right directions, respectively, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 38 and 39 are illustrative display screens of displays that may bescrolled vertically in the up and down directions, respectively, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 40 and 41 are illustrative display screens of displays that may bepaged vertically up and down, respectively, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 42 is an illustrative display screen for selecting a keyboardapplication in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 43 is an illustrative display screen of a keyboard application inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 44 is another illustrative display screen of a keyboard applicationin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 45 is still another illustrative display screen of a keyboardapplication in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 46 is an illustrative display screen of a keyboard application usedto authenticate a user in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 47 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for scrolling displayscreens in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for selectingcharacters with a keyboard application in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 49 shows an illustrative display for accessing an image applicationin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 50 is an illustrative display screen of an image application inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 51 and 52 are illustrative display screens of an image applicationin which an image may be zoomed in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 53 is an illustrative display screen in which a user may move animage in an image application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 54 is an illustrative display screen in which a user may rotate animage in an image application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 55 and 56 are illustrative display screens for cropping an imagewith an image application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 57 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for displayingdifferent views of images in an image application in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 58 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for rolling andcropping an image with an image application in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 59 shows an illustrative display for accessing an illustrationapplication in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 60 is an illustrative display screen of an illustration applicationin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 61 is an illustrative display screen of options available to a userin an illustration application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 62 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for accessing andusing an illustration application in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 63 shows an illustrative display for accessing a media applicationin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 64 is an illustrative display screen of a media application inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 65 is an illustrative display screen of a media playlist providedby a media application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 66 is an illustrative display by which a user may play or pausemedia using a media application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 67 is an illustrative display by which a user may stop media usinga media application in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 68 is an illustrative display by which a user may fast forwardmedia using a media application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 69 is an illustrative display by which a user may rewind mediausing a media application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 70 is an illustrative display by which a user may skip to a nextmedia item using a media application in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 71 is an illustrative display by which a user may skip to aprevious item using a media application in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 72 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for controlling amedia application in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative media system by which auser may control the display of a screen based on the orientation of aremote wand in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, media system 100 may include screen 102, electronicdevice 104 and wand 106. Screen 102 may be any suitable screen fordisplaying media or other content to a user. For example, screen 102 maybe a television, a projector, a monitor (e.g., a computer monitor), amedia device display (e.g., a media player or video game consoledisplay), a communications device display (e.g., a cellular telephonedisplay), a component coupled with a graphical output device, anycombinations thereof, or any other suitable screen.

Electronic device 104 may be coupled to screen 102 by link 110. Link 110may be any suitable wired link, wireless link, or any suitablecombination of such links for providing media and other content fromelectronic device 104 to screen 102 for display. For example, link 110may include a coaxial cable, multi cable, optical fiber, ribbon cable,High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable, Digital VisualInterface (DVI) cable, component video and audio cable, S-video cable,DisplayPort cable, Visual Graphics Array (VGA) cable, Apple DisplayConnector (ADC) cable, USB cable, Firewire cable, or any other suitablecable or wire for coupling electronic device 104 with screen 102. Asanother example, link 110 may include any suitable wireless link forcoupling electronic device 104 with screen 102. The wireless link mayuse any suitable wireless protocol including, for example, cellularsystems (e.g., 0G, 1G, 2G, 3G, or 4G technologies), short-range radiocircuitry (e.g., walkie-talkie type circuitry), infrared (e.g., IrDA),radio frequency (e.g., Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) andRFID), wireless USB, Bluetooth, Ultra-wideband, high frequency systems(e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), wirelesslocal area network protocols (e.g., WiFi and Hiperlan), or any othersuitable wireless communication protocol.

Electronic device 104 may be any suitable electronic device forproviding content for display to screen 102. The content may include,for example, media (e.g., music, video and images), guidance screens(e.g., guidance application screens), software displays (e.g., AppleiTunes screens or Adobe Illustrator screens), prompts for user inputs,or any other suitable content. In some embodiments, electronic device104 may be operative to generate content or displays that may beprovided to screen 102. For example, electronic device 104 may include adesktop computer, a laptop or notebook computer, a personal media device(e.g., an iPod), a cellular telephone, a mobile communications device, apocket-sized personal computer (e.g., an iPAQ or a Palm Pilot), acamera, a video recorder, or any other suitable electronic device.

In some embodiments, electronic device 104 may instead or in addition beoperative to transmit content from a host device (not shown) to screen102. For example, electronic device 104 may include a routing device, adevice for streaming content to screen 102, or any other suitabledevice. In some embodiments, electronic device 104 may include an AppleTV sold by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Electronic device 104 may beoperative to receive content from the host device in any suitablemanner, including any of the wired or wireless links described above inconnection with link 110. The host device may be any suitable device forproviding content to electronic device 102.

The following example will serve to illustrate an embodiment of thissystem. The host device may be a computer on which media is stored andplayed back using any suitable media application (e.g., iTunes, WindowsMedia Player, or Winamp). The electronic device may be an Apple TVdevice. Using a WiFi (e.g., 802.11) communications protocol, the AppleTV device may synch with the iTunes software on the host computer toprovide listings of content available on a television screen. Inresponse to a user selection of particular media content using a remotecontroller associated with the Apple TV device, the Apple TV device maystream the selected media content from the computer, and provide thestreamed content to the television screen in high definition over anHDMI connection. Thus, the user may view the content stored on the hostcomputer on a larger television screen.

To control media system 100, the user may provide instructions toelectronic device 104 using wand 106. Wand 106 may include any suitableinput device for providing user instructions to electronic device 104.Wand 106 may be formed into any suitable shape, including for example anelongated object, a round object, a curved object, a rectangular object,or any other suitable shape. Wand 106 may be operative to wirelesslytransmit user instructions to electronic device 104 using any suitablewireless communications protocol, including those described above inconnection with link 110. For example, wand 106 may be operative totransmit instructions using an infrared communications protocol by whichinformation is transmitted from wand 106 to one of IR modules 120 and122, and then transmitted to electronic device 104 through link 112. Asanother example, wand 106 may communicate directly with electronicdevice 104 using a Bluetooth or WiFi communications protocol.

Wand 106 may include one or more input mechanisms (e.g., buttons orswitches) for providing user inputs to electronic device 104. In someembodiments, the input mechanism may include positioning or moving thewand in a specific manner. For example, wand 106 may be operative toidentify a user input in response to the user flicking, spinning,rolling or rotating the wand in a particular direction or around aparticular axis. As an illustration, a flick of the wrist may rotatewand 106, causing wand 106 to provide a SELECT or other instruction toelectronic device 104. The user may move wand 106 in any direction withrespect to the x axis (e.g., movement left and right on the screen), yaxis (e.g., movement up and down on the screen), and z axis (e.g.,movement back and forth from the screen).

Wand 106 may be operative to control a cursor (e.g., a pointer or ahighlight region) displayed on screen 102 to access operations providedby electronic device 104. In some embodiments, the user may control thedisplacement of the cursor by the displacement of wand 106. Media system100 may use any suitable approach for correlating the movement of wand106 with the position of a cursor. For example, wand 106 may include oneor more accelerometers, gyroscopes, or other motion detectioncomponents. Wand 106 may be operative to transmit motion detected by themotion detection component to electronic device 104. For example, wand106 may identify motion in the x-y plane, and transmit the motion toelectronic device 104, which may direct display screen 102 to displace acursor in accordance with the motion of wand 106. Wand 106 may alsoinclude an input mechanism (e.g., a wheel or a touch strip) forproviding inputs in the z direction to electronic device 104 (e.g.,instead of or in addition to identifying motion of wand 106 in the zdirection).

As another example for correlating the movement of wand 106 with theposition of a cursor, IR modules 120 and 122 may be provided in thevicinity of screen 102. Media system 100 may include any suitable numberof IR modules 120 and 122, but for the sake of clarity only two areshown in FIG. 1. IR modules 120 and 122 may be operative to emitinfrared light for detection by wand 106. Wand 106 may be operative todetect the light emitted by IR modules 120 and 122, and determine itsposition and orientation relative to screen 106 by identifying itsposition and orientation relative to IR modules 120 and 122. Wand 106may be operative to transmit the position and orientation information toelectronic device 104, which may convert the position and orientationinformation into coordinates for the cursor or into an action to beperformed (e.g., zoom in or scroll). In some embodiments, wand 106 maybe operative to convert the position and orientation information intocoordinates for the cursor or an action to be performed, and transmitthe coordinates or action to electronic device 104.

In some embodiments, wand 106 may be operative to emit infrared light,and IR modules 120 and 122 may be operative to receive the light emittedby wand 106. IR modules 120 and 122 and electronic device 104 may thenbe operative to determine, based on the angle at which the light emittedby wand 106 is received, and based on the intensity of the receivedlight, the position of wand 106 relative to IR modules 120 and 122.

In some embodiments, media system 100 may include a plurality of wands106, for example one for each user. For the sake of clarity, only onewand 106 is shown in FIG. 1. Each wand may be operative to control adifferent cursor, or a different portion of the screen. In someembodiments, each wand may have a different priority such that when morethen one wand is in use, the wand with the highest priority controlsoperations displayed on screen 102. In some embodiments, each wand 106may be operative to provide a unique signal to electronic device 104,thus allowing electronic device 104 to identify the user of media system100, and thus provide a user-specific media experience (e.g., loaduser-specific settings or preferences, or provide user-specific media).

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a wand in accordance with one embodimentof the invention. Illustrative wand 200 may include optical component202, communications circuitry 204, motion detection component 206 andinput mechanism 208.

Optical component 202 may be operative to receive and process infraredlight received from IR modules 120 and 122 (FIG. 1). In someembodiments, optical component 202 may include an infrared filter, alens, an image pickup element and image processing circuitry (notshown). The infrared filter may be operative to prevent all light wavesother than IR light from reaching the lens, which may be positioneddirectly behind the infrared filter. The lens may be operative to pickup the light that passed through the infrared filter and may provide thelight to the image pickup element. The image pickup element may beoperative to take an image of the light received from the lens, and mayprovide the image data to the image processing circuitry. In someembodiments, the image pickup element may include a solid-state imagingdevice such as, for example, a CMOS (complimentary metal-oxidesemiconductor) sensor or a CCD (charge-coupled device). The imageprocessing circuitry may be operative to process the image data receivedfrom the image pickup element to identify bright spots corresponding tothe IR modules, and provide position information, orientationinformation, or both to communications circuitry 204.

Communications circuitry 204 may be operative to transmit position andorientation information and user inputs from wand 200 to the electronicdevice (e.g., electronic device 104, FIG. 1). In some embodiments,communications circuitry 204 may include a processor, memory, a wirelessmodule and an antenna. The processor may be operative to control thewireless module for transmitting data stored or cached in the memory.

Communications circuitry 204 may transmit any suitable data. Forexample, the processor may be operative to transmit optical informationreceived from optical component 202 (e.g., result data from the imageprocessing circuitry), motion information received from motion detectioncomponent 206 (e.g., acceleration signals) and user inputs received frominput mechanism 208. In some embodiments, the process may temporarilystore the data in the memory to organize or process the relevant dataprior to transmission by the wireless module. In some embodiments, thewireless module may transmit data at predetermined time intervals, forexample every 5 ms. The wireless module may be operative to modulate thedata to be transmitted on an appropriate frequency, and may transmit thedata to electronic device 104. The wireless module may use any suitablecommunications protocol as described above in connection with wand 106,including for example Bluetooth.

In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to optical component 202,wand 200 may include motion detection component 206 that may beoperative to detect the movement of wand 200 as a user moves the wand.Motion detection component 206 may include any suitable element fordetermining the change in orientation of the wand. For example, motiondetection component 206 may include one or more three-axis accelerationsensors that may be operative to detect linear acceleration in threedirections (i.e., the x or left/right direction, the y or up/downdirection, and the z or forward/backward direction). As another example,motion detection component 206 may include one or more two-axisacceleration sensors which may be operative to detect linearacceleration only along each of x or left/right and y or up/downdirections (or any other pair of directions). In some embodiments, theacceleration sensor may include an electrostatic capacitance(capacitance-coupling) accelerometer that is based on siliconmicro-machined MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technology, apiezoelectric type accelerometer, a piezoresistance type accelerometer,or any other suitable accelerometer.

Because in some embodiments motion detection component 206 may includeonly linear acceleration detection devices, motion detection component206 may not be operative to directly detect rotation, rotationalmovement, angular displacement, tilt, position, orientation, motionalong a non-linear (e.g., arcuate) path, or any other non-linearmotions. Using additional processing, however, motion detectioncomponent 206 may be operative to indirectly detect some or all of thesenon-linear motions. For example, by comparing the linear output ofmotion detection component 206 with a gravity vector (i.e., a staticacceleration), motion detection component 206 may be operative tocalculate the tilt of wand 200 with respect to the y-axis.

In some embodiments, motion detection component 206 may include one ormore gyro-sensors or gyroscopes for detecting rotational movement. Forexample, motion detection component 206 may include a rotating orvibrating element. In some embodiments, motion detection component 206used in wand 200 may be operative to detect motion of wand 200 in thex-y plane (e.g., left/right and up/down movements of wand 200) so as tomove a cursor or other element displayed on the screen (e.g., on screen102, FIG. 1). For example, movement of wand 200 in the x-directiondetected by motion detection component 206 may be transmitted to theelectronic device associated with wand 200 to cause a cursor or anotherelement of a display to move in the x-direction. To move a cursor or anelement of the screen in the z-direction (e.g., when advancing into thescreen in 3-D displays, or for zooming a display), wand 206 may includea separate input mechanism (described below).

Input mechanism 208 may be any suitable mechanism for receiving userinputs. For example, input mechanism 208 may include a button, keypad,dial, a click wheel, or a touch screen. In some embodiments, the inputmechanism may include a multi-touch screen such as that described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/038,590, filed Jan. 18, 2005, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The input mechanismmay emulate a rotary phone or a multi-button keypad, which may beimplemented on a touch screen or the combination of a click wheel orother user input device and a screen.

In some embodiments, input mechanism 208 may include a button or othermechanism for activating optical component 202, motion detectioncircuitry 206, or both. For example, input mechanism 208 may include amechanism for activating optical component 202 for the position of wand200 to provide inputs to the electronic device (e.g., unless the useractivates optical component 202 using the input mechanism, wand 200 maynot transmit position information and movements of wand 200 may notcontrol the position of a cursor on the screen). As another example,input mechanism 208 may include a mechanism for activating motiondetection component 206 for the user's movements of wand 200 to provideinputs to the electronic device (e.g., unless the user activates motiondetection component 206, wand 200 may ignore movements of wand 200 andnot provide orientation information to the electronic device). In someembodiments, input mechanism 208 may include a scroll wheel, touch pad,joystick, or other mechanism for providing inputs in the z-direction.For example, when motion detection component 206 is operative to provideinstructions for moving a cursor or other on-screen element in the x ory directions, input mechanism 208 may include a mechanism for providinginstructions to move an on-screen element in the z-direction, or toperform other electronic device operations for which a user may providean input in the z-direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an illustrative wand in accordance withone embodiment of the invention. Wand 300 may include input mechanism301 and optical input portion 320. Input mechanism 301 may be anysuitable mechanism, including any of the input mechanisms identifiedabove in connection with input mechanism 208 of wand 200 (FIG. 2). Insome embodiments, input mechanism 301 may include a plurality ofbuttons, each operative to perform one or more functions. In the exampleof FIG. 3, input mechanism 301 may include NEXT button 302, PREVIOUSbutton 304, UP button 306, DOWN button 308, SELECT button 310 and MENUbutton 312. In some embodiments, other buttons may include, for example,VOLUME UP, VOLUME DOWN, PLAY, and STOP buttons. In some embodiments,input mechanism 301 may include a mechanism for providing instructionsto control electronic device operations in z-axis (e.g., to move acursor in the z-axis, or to zoom a display). The input mechanism mayinclude any suitable input mechanism such as, for example, a scrollwheel, a joystick, a touchpad, a click-wheel, or any other suitablemechanism.

Optical input portion 320 may be positioned on any suitable surface ofwand 300. In some embodiments, optical input portion 320 may bepositioned such that it is located on a side of wand 300 that faces awayfrom the user (and towards the screen) when wand 300 is in use. This mayallow a user to point wand 300 at the screen to control a cursor orother element displayed on the screen. Optical input portion 320 mayinclude a filter, for example an IR filter operative to allow onlyinfrared light transmitted by IR modules 120 and 122 (FIG. 1) to enterwand 300. As discussed above in connection with FIG. 2, wand 300 maydetermine its position relative to the screen based on the lightreceived through optical input portion 320, and provide that informationto an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 104, FIG. 1) using anysuitable wireless communications protocol.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative display screens showing the movement of acursor in response to the movement of a wand in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Display screen 400 may include display 402and cursor 404. Wand 410 may be oriented towards screen 400 such thatthe position of cursor 404 is directly aligned with the orientation inwhich wand 410 is held, identified by line 412. The electronic devicethat generates display 402 and the position of cursor 404 may determinethe current position of cursor 404 from position and orientationinformation provided by wand 410. As described above, in someembodiments wand 410 may determine its position and orientation from thelocation and brightness of infrared light received from IR modules andfrom motion detection components (e.g., accelerometers or gyroscopes).

Display screen 500 may include display 502 and cursor 504. Display 502may be the same as display 402 (FIG. 4), and cursor 504 may have movedto its current position from the position of cursor 404 (FIG. 4) inresponse to wand 510 moving to a new position. As wand 510 moves fromthe original position (i.e., wand 410, FIG. 4) to its new position, theorientation of the wand changes, and thus cursor 504 moves across screen502 to its new position at the intersection of screen 502 and line 512,which extends from wand 510 along the orientation of wand 510.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views of a wand that may include a compass(e.g., a magnetic compass) in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. In some embodiments, the wand may be operative to provideorientation inputs along only a single direction (e.g., the x orleft/right direction). To increase the precision with which the wanddetermines its orientation, to reduce the reliance on received IR light,or both, illustrative wand 600 may include compass 602. Compass 602 maybe placed in wand 600 such that compass 602 remains horizontal in thex-z plane, defined by x-axis 612 and z-axis 616, independent of themovement of wand 600 along y-axis 614. For example, compass 602 mayinclude a ball, enclosed in liquid, that maintains its position relativeto the gravity vector (which may be parallel to the y-axis).

As shown in FIG. 6, wand 600 is oriented along wand orientation 620,which may include components along each of x-axis 612, y-axis 614 andz-axis 616. The portion of wand orientation 620 in the x-z plane isidentified by x-z plane orientation 622. The orientation of x-z planeorientation 622 may be quickly identified from the compass 602, forexample as the current heading of wand 600.

When the user moves wand 600 to a new position, for example the positionof wand 700 in FIG. 7, the wand moves to a new orientation, for examplewand orientation 720. Wand orientation 720 may include components alongeach of x-axis 712, y-axis 714 and z-axis 716. Although the overallorientation of wand 700 appears different than that of wand 700, x-zplane orientation 722 and 622 (FIG. 6) may be the same, thus wands 600(FIG. 6) and 700 may be pointing to the same portion of a screen. Aswith wand 600, wand 700 may quickly determine x-z plane orientation 722using compass 702 (e.g., the heading of wand 700).

The electronic device (e.g., electronic device 104, FIG. 1) associatedwith the wand (e.g., wand 106, FIG. 1) may be operative to provide anysuitable interactive display on a screen (e.g., screen 102, FIG. 1).Using the wand, the user may control a cursor or other interfacingmechanism to select operations for the electronic device to perform. Theelectronic device may direct the screen to display any suitable displayfor providing one or more media system features to a user. FIG. 8 is anillustrative display screen of a main menu in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Display screen 800 may include a pluralityof options 810 for directing the electronic device to perform differentfunctions. The options of display 800 may include, for example, Movies812, TV Shows 814, Music 816, Podcasts 818, Photos 820, Settings 822 andSources 824. Each of options 810 may include one or more sub-options,which may be displayed in response to a user selection of an option 810.The sub-options associated with each option may be displayed in anysuitable manner including, for example, in a new display screen, a popupwindow or menu, a frame within display 800, or any other suitablemanner. In some embodiments, display 800 may identify the availabilityof sub-options using arrows 811.

Display 800 may include highlight region 830 for selecting an option810. The user may control the location of highlight region 810 usingwand 840. For example, the user may point wand 840 at one option 810 todirect highlight region 830 to move to the selected option 810. In someembodiments, the electronic device may instead or in addition display acursor, for example cursor 832, which the user may control by pointingwand 840 to the portion of the screen where the user would like cursor832 displayed. Line 842 shows in FIG. 8 the orientation of wand 800, andcursor 832 at the intersection of screen 800 and line 842.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative display screen having additional selectableoptions in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Displayscreen 900 may include additional options 910 for allowing a user toaccess other options, features or applications available from theelectronic device. The user may access options 910 in any suitablemanner. For example, options 910 may be permanently displayed, appear inresponse to a user input on wand 940 (e.g., a user pressing MENU button312, FIG. 3), appear in response to the user moving cursor 932 to aportion (e.g., the bottom) of the screen (and disappear when cursor 932is moved away from the portion of the screen), or any other suitableapproach for displaying options 910.

Options 910 may include options for any suitable feature, operation orapplication available from the electronic device associated with displayscreen 900. In the example of FIG. 9, the options displayed on displayscreen 900 may include ZOOM option 912, FLASHLIGHT option 914, KEYBOARDoption 916, ILLUSTRATION option 918, iTUNES option 920, QUICKTIME option922 and INTERNET option 924.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative display screen showing a selected option inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 1000 mayinclude options 1010 that the user may select by placing a cursor overthe option. In response to receiving a user input from wand 1040 (e.g.,a user pressing a button or providing another input on the inputmechanism), or after leaving the cursor over the option for a givenamount of time (e.g., 2 seconds), the electronic device may displayhighlight region 1034 over the option to inform the user that the optionhas been selected. In some embodiments, the electronic device may removethe cursor from screen 1000 in response to a user selecting an option1010.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative display screen showing an approach forproviding a user selection to the electronic device in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. Display screen 1100 may includeoptions 1110 that the user may select with highlight region 1112. Oncehighlight region 1112 is placed over a particular option 1110, the usermay provide a selection instruction using wand 1140. In someembodiments, the user may provide an input using an input mechanism(e.g., pressing a button). In some embodiments, the user may provide aselection input by moving wand 1140 in a particular manner. For example,the user may flick wand 1140 (e.g., move wand 1140 in circular pattern1142), rotate wand 1140 in a particular manner (e.g., perform a 180°rotation of wand 1140), move wand 1140 a particular distance off screen1100, or any other suitable movement of wand 1140.

In some embodiments, one or more particular operations of the electronicdevice may be associated with a particular movement of wand 1140. Forexample, flicking or snapping wand 1140 in one direction (e.g., to theleft) may be operative to select an option, while flicking or snappingwand 1140 in another direction (e.g., to the right) may be operative toreturn to the main menu. In some embodiments, a particular movement ofwand 1140 may be combined with one or more inputs on the input mechanism(e.g., pressing one or more buttons) to perform a particular electronicdevice operation.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative display screen showing an approach forperforming another electronic device operation in response to aparticular movement of the wand in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display screen 1200 may include carousel 1210 of selectableoptions (e.g., pictures. The user may move wand 1240 such that the userdraws circular pattern 1242 on the screen to cause carousel 1210 torotate along curve 1212, displaying different selectable options. Insome embodiments, the electronic device may direct carousel 1210 to turnin a particular direction based on the direction in which wand 1240 isrotated (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise). In some embodiments,display screen 1200 may include additional options 1220, which may ormay not be associated with one or more items of carousel 1210.

The electronic device may provide a user of the media system with accessto different applications or operations. In some embodiments, theapplications may include a photo application. FIG. 13 is an illustrativedisplay screen of a photo application in accordance with one embodimentof the invention. Display 1300 may include a plurality of options 1310(e.g., menu options) associated with the photo application. One or morephotographs available from the electronic device (e.g., received from acomputer or digital camera, or stored locally on the electronic device)may be displayed in portion 1312 of display 1300. The user may select aphotograph from portion 1312 for a larger view (e.g., full-screen) usingcursor 1332.

FIG. 14 is an illustrative display screen of a photograph selected bythe user for display in full screen in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention. Display 1400 may include single photograph 1402. In someembodiments, the photograph may be displayed as part of a slide show, ormay be displayed for editing or modification. The amount of photograph1402 shown in display 1400 may depend on the relative position of wand1440 with respect to display 1400. For example, the amount of photograph1402 shown may depend on the distance between wand 1440 and display1400. For simplicity, the position of wand 1440 relative to display 1400may be depicted by the position of wand 1440 relative to origin 1442.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative display screen of a photograph in a zoomedout display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display1500 may include photograph 1502, which may be the same as photograph1402 (FIG. 14). To zoom out, the user may move wand 1540 away fromscreen 1500 such that the distance between wand 1540 and screen 1500 maybe larger than the initial distance between wand 1440 (FIG. 14) andscreen 1400 (FIG. 14). The larger distance between wand 1540 and screen1500 may be depicted by the position of wand 1540 relative to origin1542, which may be the same origin as origin 1442 (FIG. 14). In someembodiments, the user may provide an input in the z-direction (e.g., tozoom out) by providing an appropriate input with an input mechanismwithout moving wand 1540. For example, the user may roll a scroll wheel,provide an input on a touchpad, or move a joystick to provide an inputin the z-direction and zoom out the image of screen 1500.

FIG. 16 is an illustrative display screen of a photograph in a zoomed indisplay in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 1600may include photograph 1602, which may be the same as photograph 1402(FIG. 14). To zoom in, the user may move wand 1640 towards screen 1600such that the distance between wand 1640 and screen 1600 may be shorterthan the initial distance between wand 1440 (FIG. 14) and screen 1400(FIG. 14). The shorter distance between wand 1640 and screen 1600 may bedepicted by the position of wand 1640 relative to origin 1642, which maybe the same origin as origin 1442 (FIG. 14). In some embodiments, theuser may provide an input in the z-direction (e.g., to zoom in) byproviding an appropriate input with an input mechanism without movingwand 1640. For example, the user may roll a scroll wheel, provide aninput on a touchpad, or move a joystick to provide an input in thez-direction and zoom in the image of screen 1600.

In some embodiments, the user may direct the electronic device todisplay other portions of a zoomed image by moving the wand. FIG. 17 isan illustrative display screen of a different portion of a photograph ina zoomed in display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Display 17 may include photograph 1702, which may be the same asphotograph 1602 (FIG. 16). Because photograph 1602 is zoomed in, theuser cannot view the entire photograph. To view hidden portions of thephotograph, the user may direct the electronic device to scroll thedisplay of photograph 1602 to display photograph 1702. For example, wand1740 may be oriented towards a side of screen 1700 (e.g., to the right)to cause screen 1700 to shift the display of photograph 1702 such thatthe portions of photograph 1702 that were previously hidden (e.g.,portions to the left of photograph 1602) may be displayed. As shown inFIG. 17, wand 1740 may be rotated toward the right such that wand 1740moves from the initial orientation of wand 1640 (FIG. 16) to theorientation of wand 1740. The relative orientations wands 1640 and 1740may be depicted by the positions of wands 1640 and 1740 relative origins1642 and 1742, respectively.

In some embodiments, the zoom functionality of the electronic device mayalso be applied to any suitable display of a plurality of elements(e.g., options, icons or thumbnail images). For example, zoomfunctionality may be applied to a thumbnail listing of photographs. FIG.18 is an illustrative display screen of a plurality of images inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 1800 mayinclude listing 1802 of images. In some embodiments, listing 1802 may bedisplayed as part of an album, a folder for organizing images, or as aset of icons for accessing electronic device operations. As with asingle photograph, the amount of listing 1802 shown in display 1800 maydepend on the relative position of wand 1840 with respect to display1800. For example, the amount of listing 1802 displayed may depend onthe distance between wand 1840 and display 1800. For simplicity, theposition of wand 1840 relative to display 1800 may be depicted by theposition of wand 1840 relative to origin 1842. In some embodiments, theamount of listing 1802 shown in display 1800 may depend on an inputprovided with wand 1840 to control operations or instructions in thez-direction.

FIG. 19 is an illustrative display screen of a plurality of images in azoomed in display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Display 1900 may include listing 1902 of images, which may be the sameas listing 1802 (FIG. 18). To zoom in, the user may move wand 1940towards screen 1900 such that the distance between wand 1940 and screen1900 may be shorter than the initial distance between wand 1840 (FIG.18) and screen 1800 (FIG. 18). The shorter distance between wand 1940and screen 1900 may be depicted by the position of wand 1940 relative toorigin 1942, which may be the same origin as origin 1842 (FIG. 18). Tozoom out, a user may move wand away from screen 1900 such that thedistance between wand 1940 and screen 1900 is larger than the initialdistance between wand 1840 and screen 1800 (e.g., similarly to theprocess described in connection with screen 1500, FIG. 15). In someembodiments, the user may provide an appropriate input with an inputmechanism without moving wand 1840 to direct the display to zoom in orzoom out. For example, the user may roll a scroll wheel, provide aninput on a touchpad, or move a joystick to provide an input in thez-direction and zoom the image of displays 1800 and 1900.

To avoid zooming at undesirable moments (e.g., while playing back musicor a video), the electronic device may provide zoom functionality onlyin response to a user selecting a zoom option. For example, the user mayaccess a zoom mode by selecting ZOOM option 912 (FIG. 9). As anotherexample, the user may provide an input on an input mechanism of the wandprior to or while the user moves the wand to activate the zoomfunctionality (e.g., twist wand and move forward or back to zoom, orpress a button and move forward or back to zoom). In some embodiments,zoom functionality may be available only for specific display screens.For example, zoom functionality may be available only for viewingphotographs, listings of images or icons, for viewing paused video, andlists of selectable options. In such a case, the electronic device maybe operative to ignore movement of the wand along the z-axis orforward/backward direction when the display screen is not one for whichzooming is available.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for providing zoomfunctionality in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Process 2000 begins at step 2002. At step 2004, the media system maydetermine whether the user has provided an indication to access the zoommode. For example, electronic device 104 (FIG. 1) may determine whetherthe user is viewing a screen for which a zooming function is available.As another example, electronic device 104 may determine whether the userhas provided a user input (e.g., using input mechanism 208, FIG. 2, orby moving wand 106, FIG. 1, in a specific manner) to access the zoommode. If the electronic device determines that the user has not providedan indication to access the zoom mode, process 2000 may move to step2006 and ends.

If, at step 2004, the media system instead determines that the user hasprovided an indication to access the zoom mode, process 2000 may move tostep 2008. At step 2008, the media system may determine the initialdistance between the wand and the screen. For example, wand 106 maydetermine its distance relative screen 102 (FIG. 1) (e.g., relative toIR modules 120 and 122, FIG. 1) using optical component 202 (FIG. 2),and transmit the determined initial distance to electronic device 104using communications circuitry 204 (FIG. 2). As another example,electronic device 104 may directly determine the distance between wand106 and screen 102 using, for example, IR modules 120 and 122 to receiveinfrared light emitted by wand 106, and to compute the relevant distancebased on the received light.

At step 2010, the media system may determine that the wand has moved.For example, wand 106 may determine its current distance relative toscreen 102, and compare the current distance to the initial distanceidentified at step 2008. If wand 106 determines that the currentdistance is different than the initial distance, wand 106 may determinethat the wand has moved. As another example, wand 108 may determine,using motion detection component 206 (FIG. 2), whether wand 106 has beensubject to any accelerations that indicate wand movement. If motiondetection component 206 identifies an acceleration event, wand 106 maydetermine that the wand has moved.

At step 2012, the media system may determine the current distancebetween the wand and the screen. For example, wand 106 may determine itsdistance relative screen 102 (e.g., relative to IR modules 120 and 122)using optical component 202, and transmit the determined currentdistance to electronic device 104 using communications circuitry 204.

At step 2014, the media system may determine whether the wand is closerto the screen. For example, electronic device 104 may compare theinitial distance determined at step 2008 and the current distancedetermined at step 2012, and may determine whether the current distanceis smaller than the initial distance. If the media system determinesthat the wand is closer to the screen, process 2000 may move to step2016.

At step 2016, the media system may determine the amount to zoom in thedisplay on the screen based on the current distance. For example,electronic device 104 may compare the difference between the initialdistance and the current distance to an average maximum expecteddistance variation (e.g., the length of a user's arm, indicatingmovement from an extended arm to an arm against the user's body), andzoom in the image displayed on screen 102 based on the ratio of thedifference between initial and current distance and the maximum expecteddistance variation. As another example, the media system may zoom in thedisplay using any other suitable relationship between the new distanceand the zoom ratio (e.g., a non-linear relationship). In someembodiments, the media system may zoom in the display based on the speedat which the distance between the wand and the screen changes.

At step 2018, the media system may zoom in the display of the screen bythe amount determined at step 2016. For example, if the media systemdetermines to zoom an image in 200% based on the current distancedetermined at step 2012, electronic device 104 may direct screen 102 todisplay an image zoomed in 200%. Process 2000 may then move back to step2008, where the media system may continue to monitor changes in distancebetween the wand and the screen.

If, at step 2014, the media system instead determines that the wand isnot closer to the screen, process 2000 may move to step 2020. At step2020, the media system may determine the amount to zoom out the displayon the screen based on the current distance. For example, electronicdevice 104 may compare the difference between the initial distance andthe current distance with an average maximum expected distance variation(e.g., the length of a user's arm, indicating movement from an extendedarm to an arm against the user's body), and zoom out the image displayedon screen 102 based on the ratio of the difference between initial andcurrent distance and the maximum expected distance variation. As anotherexample, the media system may zoom out the display using any othersuitable relationship between the current distance and the zoom ratio(e.g., a non-linear relationship). In some embodiments, the media systemmay zoom out the display based on the speed at which the distancebetween the wand and the screen changes.

At step 2022, the media system may zoom out the display of the screen bythe amount determined at step 2020. For example, if the media systemdetermines to zoom an image out 50% based on the current distancedetermined at step 2012, electronic device 104 may direct screen 102 todisplay an image zoomed out 50%. Process 2000 may then move back to step2008, where the media system may continue to monitor changes in distancebetween the wand and the screen.

In some embodiments, steps 2008, 2010 2012 and 2014 of process 2000 maybe replaced by step 2024. At step 2024, the media system may determinewhether the user has provided an instruction with an input mechanism tozoom in. For example, wand 106 may determine whether a user has providedan input in the z-direction (e.g., with input mechanism 208). If themedia system determines that the user has provided an input to zoom in,process 2000 may move to step 2016, described above. If, at step 2024,the media system instead determines that the user has not provided aninput to zoom out, process 2000 may move to step 2020, described above.

In some embodiments, the media system may provide the user with aflashlight application. FIG. 21 is an illustrative display screen ofuser selection of a flashlight application in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Display 2100, which may be similar oridentical to display screen 1000 (FIG. 10), may include options 2110that the user may select by placing a cursor (not shown) over aparticular option (e.g., flashlight option 2112). In some embodiments,the user may select flashlight option 2112 by pointing to option 2112using wand 2140 to place the cursor over option 2112, and provide anindication to select the option (e.g., pressing a button or providinganother input on the input mechanism, moving wand 2140 in a particularmanner, or leaving the cursor over option 2112 for a given amount oftime). Display 2100 may include highlight region 2134 over option 2112to indicate that the option has been selected.

FIG. 22 is an illustrative display screen of the flashlight applicationin accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 2200 mayinclude flashlight beam 2210, which may light up a portion of screen2200 while leaving dark portion 2212 in shadows. Flashlight beam 2210may be displayed on the portion of screen 2200 that is aligned with theorientation of wand 2240 such that the user may have the impression thatwand 2240 is a flashlight that illuminates only a portion of screen2200. Flashlight beam 2210 may have any suitable shape, including forexample circular, rectangular, square, or an arbitrary shape (e.g.,shaped like a particular, object, for example a logo).

FIG. 23 is an illustrative display screen of the flashlight applicationwhen a user pulls the wand away from the screen in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. To give the user the impression that wand2340 is a flashlight, when the user pulls wand 2340 away from screen2200 and the distance between wand 2340 and screen 2300 increases, theflashlight beam displayed on screen 2300 may be larger. As shown in FIG.23, flashlight beam 2310 may be larger than flashlight beam 2210 (FIG.22) because wand 2340 has been pulled away from screen 2300, and darkportion 2312 may be smaller than dark portion 2212 (FIG. 22). Theposition of wand 2340 relative to screen 2300 may be depicted by theposition of wand 2300 relative to origin 2342. In some embodiments, theuser may provide an appropriate input with an input mechanism withoutmoving wand 2340 to direct the display to change the size of flashlightbeam 2310. For example, the user may roll a scroll wheel, provide aninput on a touchpad, or move a joystick to provide an input in thez-direction and change the size of flashlight beam 2310.

FIG. 24 is an illustrative display screen of a flashlight applicationwhen a user pushes the wand to the screen in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. When the user approaches wand 2440 toscreen 2400, as depicted by the position of wand 2440 relative to origin2442, which may be the same as origin 2342 (FIG. 23), flashlight beam2310 may be reduced (e.g., with respect to flashlight beams 2210, FIGS.22 and 2310, FIG. 23) such that dark portion 2412 is enlarged (e.g.,with respect to dark portions 2212, FIGS. 22 and 2312, FIG. 23). Thisbehavior for flashlight beam 2410 may give a user the impression thatwand 2440 is a flashlight. In some embodiments, the user may provide anappropriate input with an input mechanism without moving wand 2440 todirect the display to change the size of flashlight beam 2410 (e.g., inaddition to or instead of changing the distance between wand 2440 andscreen 2400).

FIG. 25 is an illustrative display screen of a flashlight applicationwhen a user points the wand at an angle towards the screen in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 2500 may includeflashlight beam 2510 and dark portion 2512. In some embodiments,flashlight beam 2510 may be an elliptical shape to illustrate the angleat which wand 2540 points at screen 2500. For example, thecharacteristic lengths of flashlight beam 2510 (e.g., the lengths of thetwo axes defining the ellipsis) may be related to the angle at whichwand 2540 points to screen (e.g., to the angle between the of the x-zcomponent of the wand orientation and the z-axis). In some embodiments,screen 2500 may include shadows 2514. Shadows 2514 may be displayed toprovide the effect of an oblique light source, where wand 2540 mayprovide the oblique light source. In some embodiments, the shape offlashlight beam 2510 and the shadows 2514 displayed may be related tothe movement of wand 2540 away from the center of screen 2500 (e.g., theangle of the oblique light source may be related to the movement of wand2540).

In some embodiments, the flashlight application may provide the userwith a reverse flashlight display. For example, a user may use a reverseflashlight to hide specific information displayed on a screen whileshowing other information (e.g., to guests or other users). Thisapproach may be useful, for example, to hide confidential informationwhile showing non-confidential information, or as part of apresentation. FIG. 26 is an illustrative display screen of a flashlightapplication in which the flashlight beam is dark in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Display 2600 may include flashlight beam2610, which may darken a portion of screen 2600 while leaving remainingportion 2612 illuminated. Flashlight beam 2610 may be displayed on theportion of screen 2600 that is aligned with the orientation of wand 2640such that the user may have the impression that wand 2640 is aflashlight. In some embodiments, the user may move wand 2640 towards andaway from screen 2600 to cause the size of flashlight beam 2610 toreduce and grow, respectively (e.g., as described in connection withFIGS. 23 and 24). In some embodiments, the user may provide anappropriate input with an input mechanism without moving wand 2640 todirect the display to change the size of flashlight beam 2610.

FIG. 27 is an illustrative display screen of a flashlight application inwhich the flashlight beam is dark and in which the wand is held at anangle to the screen in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Display screen 2700 may include dark flashlight beam 2710 and litportion 2712. In some embodiments, flashlight beam 2710 may be anelliptical shape to illustrate the angle at which wand 2740 points atscreen 2700. For example, the characteristic lengths of flashlight beam2710 (e.g., the lengths of the two axes defining the ellipsis) may berelated to the angle at which wand 2740 points to screen (e.g., to theangle between the of the x-z component of the wand orientation and thez-axis). As another example, the shape of flashlight beam 2710 may berelated to the user's motion of wand 2740 (e.g., motion in thex-direction directs the electronic device to change the angle in thex-direction from which it appears a flashlight is pointing to screen2700). In some embodiments, screen 2700 may include shadows 2714.Shadows 2714 may be displayed to provide the effect of an oblique lightsource, where wand 2740 may provide the oblique light source.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are illustrative displays of a flashlight application asa user moves the wand to change to orientation of flashlight beam inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 2800 mayinclude flashlight beam 2810 and dark portion 2812. Wand 2840 may beoriented to the center of display 2800, such that beam 2810 issubstantially circular and located near the center of the screen. Theorientation of wand 2840 may be indicated relative to origin 2842.

When the user moves wand 2840, as shown by the orientation of wand 2940in FIG. 29, display screen 2900 may include flashlight beam 2910 anddark portion 2912. In some embodiments, flashlight beam 2910 may be anelliptical shape to illustrate the angle at which wand 2940 points atscreen 2900. For example, the characteristic lengths of flashlight beam2910 (e.g., the lengths of the two axes defining the ellipsis) may berelated to the angle at which wand 2940 points to screen (e.g., to theangle between the of the x-z component of the wand orientation and thez-axis). As another example, the shape of flashlight beam 2910 may berelated to the user's motion of wand 2940. In some embodiments, beam2910 may be positioned on screen 2900 to illustrate the orientation atwhich wand 2940 points at screen 2900. For example, beam 2910 may bepositioned such that a user has the impression that wand 2900 is aflashlight (e.g., the position of beam 2910 is consistent with theorientation of flashlight 2940).

FIGS. 30 and 31 are other illustrative displays of a flashlightapplication as a user moves the wand to change to orientation offlashlight beam in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Display screen 3000 may include flashlight beam 3010 and dark portion3012. Wand 3040 may be oriented to the center of display 3000, such thatbeam 3010 is substantially circular and located near the center of thescreen. The orientation of wand 3040 may be indicated relative to origin3042.

When the user moves wand 3040, as shown by the orientation of wand 3140in FIG. 31, display screen 3100 may include flashlight beam 3110 anddark portion 3112. In some embodiments, flashlight beam 3110 may be anelliptical shape to illustrate the angle at which wand 3140 points atscreen 3100 (e.g., relative to origin 3142, which may be the same asorigin 3042). For example, the characteristic lengths of flashlight beam3110 (e.g., the length of the two axes defining the ellipsis) may berelated to the angle at which wand 3140 points to screen (e.g., to theangle between the of the x-z component of the wand orientation and thez-axis). As another example, the shape of flashlight beam 3110 may berelated to the user's motion of wand 3140. In some embodiments, beam3110 may remain positioned near the center of screen 3100, but beam 3110may include shadows 3114 to illustrate the orientation at which wand3140 points at screen 3100. For example, shadows 3114 may be displayedsuch that they would be the shadows displayed if a user were to use wand3100 as a flashlight pointed at the center of screen 3100 from thecurrent angle (e.g., shadows 3114 and beam 3110 are consistent with theorientation of wand 3140).

The user may switch between flashlight application functions (e.g.,shadows, beam movement, and beam shape) in any suitable manner. Forexample, the user may provide a particular input using the inputmechanism of the wand to activate one or more function. As anotherexample, the user may hold or move the wand in a particular manner toactivate or de-activate one or more function (e.g., snap the wand to addshadows to the flashlight).

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for a flashlightapplication in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Process3200 begins at step 3202. At step 3204, the media system may determinewhether the user has provided an indication to access the flashlightapplication. For example, electronic device 104 (FIG. 1) may determinewhether the user has provided an indication (e.g., using input mechanism208, FIG. 2, or by moving wand 106, FIG. 1, in a specific manner) toaccess the flashlight application. If the media system determines thatthe user has not provided an indication to access the flashlightapplication, process 3200 may move to step 3206 and end.

If, at step 3204, the media system instead determines what the user hasprovided an indication to access the flashlight application, process3200 may move to step 3208. At step 3208, the media system may determinethe distance between the wand and the screen. For example, wand 106 maydetect its position relative to IR modules 120 and 122 (FIG. 1), anddetermine the distance between wand 106 and screen 102 (FIG. 1) based onthe determined position. Wand 106 may transmit the determined distanceto electronic device 104 using any suitable approach.

At step 3210, the media system may determine the size of the flashlightbeam to display on the screen based on the distance determined at step3208. For example, electronic device 104 may determine the size of theflashlight beam based on the ratio of the size of screen 102 and thedetermined distance. In some embodiments, other approaches forcorrelating the determined distance and the size of the flashlight beammay be used.

In some embodiments, process 3000 may replace steps 3208 and 3210 withstep 3211. At step 3211, the media system may determine the size of theflashlight beam to display based on user inputs. For example, electronicdevice 104 may receive user inputs from wand 106 operative to provideinstructions for movement in the z-axis.

At step 3212, the media system may determine the orientation of the wandwith respect to the screen. For example, wand 106 may detect itsposition relative to IR modules 120 and 122, and determine itsorientation relative to the IR modules. Wand 106 or electronic device104 may then determine the orientation of wand 106 with respect toscreen 102 based on the relative positions of screen 102 and IR modules120 and 122. In some embodiments, wand 106 may instead or in additionuse information received from motion detection component 206 (FIG. 2) todetermine the orientation of wand 106. Wand 106 may transmit toelectronic device 104 its orientation relative to screen 102 using anysuitable approach.

At step 3214, the media system may determine the flashlight beamlocation, shape and shadows based on the orientation determined at step3212. For example, electronic device 104 may determine the flashlightbeam location based on the orientation at which wand 106 points toscreen 102 (e.g., the flashlight beam is aligned with the orientation ofwand 106). As another example, electronic device 104 may determine theflashlight beam shape based on the angle at which wand 106 points toscreen 102. If the flashlight beam shape is an ellipse, electronicdevice 104 may determine the ratio of the principal axes based on thedetermined orientation. As still another example, electronic device 102may determine the darkness and gradation of shadows displayed around theflashlight beam based on the orientation determined at step 3212 or oninformation received related to the movement of wand 106.

At step 3216, the media system may display a flashlight that has thesize, shape and shadows determined at steps 3210 and 3214 and at theposition determined at step 3214. For example, electronic device 104 maydirect screen 102 to display a flashlight beam at the positiondetermined at step 3214 and that has the size, shape and shadowsdetermined at steps 3210 and 3214.

At step 3218, the media system may determine whether the user hasprovided an indication to exit the flashlight application. For example,electronic device 104 may determine whether the user has provided anindication (e.g., using input mechanism 208 or by moving wand 106 in aspecific manner) to exit the flashlight application. If the media systemdetermines that the user has provided an indication to exit theflashlight application, process 3200 may move to step 3220 and ends.

If, at step 3218, the media system instead determines that the user hasnot provided an indication to exit the flashlight application, process3200 may move to step 3222. At step 3222, the media system may determinewhether the wand has moved. For example, wand 106 may determine, usingmotion detection component 208, whether wand 106 was moved. As anotherexample, wand 106 may compare its prior position and orientationrelative to IR modules 120 and 122 with its current position andorientation relative to IR modules 120 and 122 to determine whether wand106 was moved. If the media system determines that wand 106 has notmoved, process 3200 may return to step 3218, and the media system maymonitor user interactions.

If at step 3222, the media system instead determines that wand 106 hasmoved, process 3200 may move to step 3208 to determine the new currentposition, size, shape and shadows for the flashlight beam.

In some embodiments, the user of media system 100 may use wand 106 toscroll through screens displayed by electronic device 102.

FIG. 33 is an illustrative display screen that a user may cause toscroll in any direction in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display screen 3300 may include images 3302 available forselection by a user. Wand 3310 may be operative to control the movementof cursor 3304 for selecting one or more images 3302 or for causingdisplay screen 3300 to scroll. In some embodiments, the user may movewand 3310 to cause cursor 3304 to move. The orientation of wand 3310with respect to screen 3300 may be indicated relative to origin 3312. Insome embodiments, images 3302, or other displayed objects, may be partof a set (e.g., a photo album).

FIGS. 34 and 35 are illustrative display screens of displays that may bescrolled horizontally in the left and right directions, respectively, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 3400 mayinclude images 3402, which may include some images identical to images3302 (FIG. 33). Similarly, display screen 3500 may include images 3502,which may include some images identical to images 3302. Wand 3410 may beoperative to control the movement of cursor 3404 for selecting one ormore images 3402, and wand 3510 may be operative to control the movementof cursor 3504 for selecting one or more images 3502.

To view images that are not initially on screen 3400 or screen 3500, theuser may orient wand 3410 and wand 3510, respectively, such that cursors3404 and 3505, respectively, point to the side of screens 3400 and 3500,respectively. For example, to scroll initial images 3302 to the right,the user may move wand 3410 such that it is oriented more to the rightthan wand 3310 (e.g., as indicated relative to origins 3312 and 3412,which may be the same origins), causing cursor 3404 to move to the rightand images 3302 to scroll to the right, displaying images 3402. Asanother example, to scroll initial images 3302 to the left, the user maymove wand 3510 such that it is oriented more to the left than wand 3310(e.g., as indicated relative to origins 3312 and 3512, which may be thesame origins), causing cursor 3504 to move to the left and images 3302to scroll to the left, displaying images 3502. In some embodiments, theuser may move wands 3410 and 3510 such that motion detection componentswithin the wands detect the left and right motion, respectively, andtransmit the motion to the electronic device controlling the display ofimages 3402 and 3502. In such a case, the user may scroll the display ofimages without pointing to a specific portion of the screen.

FIGS. 36 and 37 are illustrative display screens of displays that may bepaged horizontally in the left and right directions, respectively, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 3600 mayinclude images 3602, which may include images different than images 3302(FIG. 33). Similarly, display screen 3700 may include images 3702, whichmay include images different than images 3302. Wand 3610 may beoperative to control the movement of cursor 3604 for selecting one ormore images 3602, and wand 3710 may be operative to control the movementof cursor 3704 for selecting one or more images 3702.

To view images that are not initially on screen 3600 or screen 3700, theuser may orient wand 3610 and wand 3710, respectively, such that cursors3604 and 3705, respectively, point to the edge or off the edge ofscreens 3600 and 3700, respectively. For example, to page initial images3302 to the right (e.g., replace all of images 3302 with the next set ofimages located to the right of images 3302), the user may move wand 3610such that it is oriented more to the right than wand 3310 and at or offthe right edge of screen 3600 (e.g., as indicated relative to origins3312 and 3612, which may be the same origins), causing cursor 3604 tomove to the right edge of screen 3600 and images 3302 to page to theright, displaying images 3602. As another example, to page initialimages 3302 to the left (e.g., to replace all of images 3302 with thenext set of images located to the left of images 3302), the user maymove wand 3710 such that it is oriented more to the left than wand 3310and at or off the left edge of screen 3700 (e.g., as indicated relativeto origins 3312 and 3712, which may be the same origins), causing cursor3704 to move to the left edge of screen 3700 and images 3302 to page tothe left, displaying images 3702.

In some embodiments, the user may move wands 3610 and 3710 such thatmotion detection components within the wands detect the left and rightmotion, respectively, and transmit the motion to the electronic devicecontrolling the display of images 3402 and 3502. To distinguishinstructions for scrolling and paging, the media system may determine,from the transmitted motion information, whether the motion exceeded aparticular motion (e.g., large motions indicate paging, smaller motionsindicate scrolling). In some embodiments, the user may direct thedisplay to page by providing an input in addition to moving the wand(e.g., pressing a button and moving the wand). In such a case, the usermay page the display of images without pointing to a specific portion ofthe screen. To indicate to the user that the media system is paging thedisplays on screens 3600 and 3700 (e.g., and not scrolling thedisplays), cursors 3604 and 3704 may be different from cursor 3304 (FIG.33). In some embodiments, the media system may rapidly scroll throughimages displayed on screens 3600 and 3700 instead of paging throughimages.

FIGS. 38 and 39 are illustrative display screens of displays that may bescrolled vertically in the up and down directions, respectively, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 3800 mayinclude images 3802, which may include some images identical to images3302 (FIG. 33). Similarly, display screen 3900 may include images 3902,which may include some images identical to images 3302. Wand 3810 may beoperative to control the movement of cursor 3804 for selecting one ormore images 3802, and wand 3910 may be operative to control the movementof cursor 3904 for selecting one or more images 3902.

To view images that are not initially on screen 3800 or screen 3900, theuser may orient wand 3810 and wand 3910, respectively, such that cursors3804 and 3905, respectively, point to the top and bottom of screens 3800and 3900, respectively. For example, to scroll initial images 3902 up,the user may move wand 3910 such that it is oriented more upwards thanwand 3310 (e.g., as indicated relative to origins 3312 and 3812, whichmay be the same origins), causing cursor 3804 to move up and images 3302to scroll up, displaying images 3802. As another example, to scrollinitial images 3302 down, the user may move wand 3910 such that it isoriented more downwards than wand 3310 (e.g., as indicated relative toorigins 3312 and 3912, which may be the same origins), causing cursor3904 to move down and images 3302 to scroll down, displaying images3902. In some embodiments, the user may move wands 3810 and 3910 suchthat motion detection components within the wands detect the up and downmotion, respectively, and transmit the motion to the electronic devicecontrolling the display of images 3802 and 3902. In such a case, theuser may scroll the display of images without pointing to a specificportion of the screen.

FIGS. 40 and 41 are illustrative display screens of displays that may bepaged vertically up and down, respectively, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Display screen 4000 may include images4002, which may include images different than images 3302 (FIG. 33).Similarly, display screen 4100 may include images 4102, which mayinclude images different than images 3302. Wand 4010 may be operative tocontrol the movement of cursor 4004 for selecting one or more images4002, and wand 4110 may be operative to control the movement of cursor4104 for selecting one or more images 4102.

To view images that are not initially on screen 4000 or screen 4100, theuser may orient wand 4010 and wand 4110, respectively, such that cursors4004 and 4105, respectively, point to the edge or off the top and bottomof screens 4000 and 4100, respectively. For example, to page up initialimages 3302 (e.g., replace all of images 3302 with the next set ofimages located above images 3302), the user may move wand 4010 such thatit is oriented more upwards than wand 3310 and at or off the top edge ofscreen 4000 (e.g., as indicated relative to origins 3312 and 4012, whichmay be the same origins), causing cursor 4004 to move to the top edge ofscreen 4000 and images 3302 to page up, displaying images 4002. Asanother example, to page down initial images 3302 (e.g., replace all ofimages 3302 with the next set of images located below images 3302), theuser may move wand 4110 such that it is oriented more downwards thanwand 3310 and at or off the bottom edge of screen 4100 (e.g., asindicated relative to origins 3312 and 4112, which may be the sameorigins), causing cursor 4104 to move to the bottom edge of screen 4100and images 3302 to page down, displaying images 4102.

In some embodiments, the user may move wands 4010 and 4110 such thatmotion detection components within the wands detect the up and downmotion, respectively, and transmit the motion to the electronic devicecontrolling the display of images 3402 and 3502. To distinguishinstructions for scrolling and paging, the media system may determine,from the transmitted motion information, whether the motion exceeded aparticular motion (e.g., large motions indicate paging, smaller motionsindicate scrolling). In some embodiments, the user may direct thedisplay to page by providing an input in addition to moving the wand(e.g., pressing a button and moving the wand). In such a case, the usermay page the display of images without pointing to a specific portion ofthe screen. To indicate to the user that the media system is paging thedisplays on screens 4000 and 4100, cursors 4004 and 4104 may bedifferent from cursor 3304 (FIG. 33). In some embodiments, the mediasystem may rapidly scroll through images displayed on screens 4000 and4100 instead of paging through images.

In some embodiments, the user may use the scrolling functionality of themedia system to enter characters using a virtual keyboard displayed onthe screen. The user may use the virtual keyboard application for anysuitable purpose, including for example, entering search terms,navigating to an Internet address, logging in to the electronic device,writing a note (e.g., an e-mail or a reminder), creating a folder oralbum (e.g., a photo album) or any other suitable purpose. FIG. 42 is anillustrative display screen for selecting a keyboard application inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 4200 mayinclude selectable options 4210 that the user may select by placingcursor 4212 over a particular option (e.g., by pointing wand 4240 at theparticular option). When a user provides an indication to select anoption, the electronic device may display highlight region 4214 toindicate to the user that the option has been selected. The user mayselect the option in any suitable manner including, for example,providing a selection on an input mechanism (e.g., pressing a button),or moving wand 4240 in a particular manner (e.g., flicking wand 4240,rotating wand 4240 in a particular manner, or moving wand 4240 aparticular distance off screen 4200).

FIG. 43 is an illustrative display screen of a keyboard application inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 4300 mayinclude virtual keyboard 4310 and input box 4312. Virtual keyboard 4310may include any suitable set of characters, including for example allletters and numbers. In some embodiments, the characters may be disposedas in a computer keyboard (e.g., in a QWERTY layout), or the charactersmay be listed alphabetically. In some embodiments, virtual keyboard 4310may include one or more options to access additional characters that arenot initially displayed (e.g., a SHIFT or FUNCTION key), or the user mayprovide an input using wand 4340 (e.g., press a button on the wand) toaccess additional characters.

A user may select a character (e.g., a letter or a number) by placingcursor 4320 over a character (e.g., by pointing wand 4340 at thecharacter), and providing a selection input using wand 4340. Forexample, the user may use an input mechanism (e.g., press a button), ormove wand 4340 in a particular manner (e.g., flick wand 4340, rotatewand 4340 in a particular manner, or move wand 4340 a particulardistance off screen 4300). In some embodiments, the electronic devicemay indicate that a character has been selected by placing highlightregion 4322 over the character.

As the user selects characters from virtual keyboard 4310, the selectedcharacters may be displayed in input box 4312. The user may place acursor at any position in input box 4312 by pointing wand 4340 at theselected position. To erase a mistaken entry, the user may select BACKoption 4314, or may provide any other suitable input with wand 4340(e.g., press a button on wand 4340, or move wand 4340 in a particularmanner). When the user has entered a complete input in input box 4340,the user may select SELECT option 4316, or may provide any othersuitable input with wand 4340 (e.g., press a button on wand 4340, ormove wand 4340 in a particular manner).

FIG. 44 is another illustrative display screen of a keyboard applicationin accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 4400may include virtual keyboard 4410 and input box 4412. Virtual keyboard4410 may include a plurality of lines 4420, 4422 and 4424 of differentcharacters that a user may select to input. For example, line 4420 mayinclude letters, line 4422 may include numbers, and line 4424 mayinclude punctuation marks and other characters. In some embodiments, toreduce the visual clutter, only one of lines 4420, 4422 and 4424 may bedisplayed at a time.

The user may select a character on the displayed line 4420, 4422 or 4424by pointing wand 4440 at a particular character to place cursor 4438over the character. To access other characters not displayed on aparticular line, the user may select one of arrows 4430 and 4431 toscroll line 4420 to the left or to the right. In some embodiments, theuser may simply place cursor 4438 at the left or right edge of thescreen to scroll line 4420.

To access a line that is not currently displayed (e.g., lines 4422 and4424), the user may place cursor 4438 on one of lines 4422 and 4424, orarrows 4432 and 4434 to cause associated line 4422 and 4424,respectively, to be displayed. In some embodiments, the user may selectone of lines 4422 and 4424, or arrows 4432 and 4434 to cause theassociated lines to be displayed. When a new line is displayed, thepreviously displayed line may be reduced to limit the visual clutter onscreen 4400.

A user may select a character (e.g., a letter or a number) or a line(e.g., lines 4420, 4422 and 4424) by placing cursor 4438 over acharacter or a line (e.g., by pointing wand 4440 at the character orline), and providing a selection input using wand 4440. For example, theuser may use an input mechanism (e.g., press a button), or move wand4440 in a particular manner (e.g., flick wand 4440, rotate wand 4440 ina particular manner, or move wand 4440 a particular distance off screen4400). In some embodiments, the electronic device may indicate that acharacter or line has been selected by placing highlight region 4436over the character.

As the user selects characters from virtual keyboard 4410, the selectedcharacters may be displayed in input box 4412. The user may place acursor at any position in input box 4412 by pointing wand 4440 at theselected position. To erase a mistaken entry, the user may select BACKoption 4414, or may provide any other suitable input with wand 4440(e.g., press a button on wand 4440, or move wand 4400 in a particularmanner). When the user has entered a complete input in input box 4440,the user may select SELECT option 4416, or may provide any othersuitable input with wand 4440.

FIG. 45 is still another illustrative display screen of a keyboardapplication in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Displayscreen 4500 may include virtual keyboard 4510 and input box 4512.Virtual keyboard 4510 may include intersecting lines 4420 and 4422, eachhaving different characters that a user may input. For example, line4420 may include letters, and line 4422 may include numbers, punctuationmarks and other characters.

The user may select a character on the displayed line 4420 or 4422 byfirst selecting a line, and then selecting a character on the line. Toselect a line, the user may point wand 4440 at a line (e.g., to placecursor 4538 on the line). The electronic device may indicate that aparticular line has been selected and that the user may selectcharacters from the line by placing a highlight region around the line(e.g., a highlight region is displayed around line 4520). The user maythen place cursor 4538 over characters of the selected line to selectthe characters. In some embodiments, the user may select a character byscrolling the selected line such that the selected character is placedin static highlight region 4536.

To scroll line 4520, the user may place cursor 4538 over one of arrows4530 and 4531, and to scroll line 4522, the user may place cursor 4538over one of arrows 4532 and 4533. In some embodiments, the user mayplace cursor 4538 at the left or right edge of the screen to scroll line4420, and place cursor 4538 at the top or bottom edge of the screen toscroll line 4422.

A user may select a character (e.g., a letter or a number) or a line(e.g., line 4520 or 4522) by placing cursor 4538 over a character or aline (e.g., by pointing wand 4540 at the character or line), andproviding a selection input using wand 4540. For example, the user mayuse an input mechanism (e.g., press a button), or move wand 4540 in aparticular manner (e.g., flick wand 4540, rotate wand 4540 in aparticular manner, or move wand 4540 a particular distance off screen4500). In some embodiments, the electronic device may indicate that acharacter or line has been selected by placing highlight region 4536over the character.

As the user selects characters from virtual keyboard 4510, the selectedcharacters may be displayed in input box 4512. The user may place acursor at any position in input box 4512 by pointing wand 4540 at theselected position. To erase a mistaken entry, the user may select BACKoption 4514, or may provide any other suitable input with wand 4540(e.g., press a button on wand 4540, or move wand 4500 in a particularmanner). When the user has entered a complete input in input box 4540,the user may select SELECT option 4516, or may provide any othersuitable input with wand 4540.

FIG. 46 is an illustrative display screen of a keyboard application usedto authenticate a user in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display screen 4600 may include prompt 4602 for the user toenter authentication information. For example, prompt 4602 may directthe user to enter username and password information. Display screen 4600may include virtual keyboard 4610 for the user to enter the requestedauthentication information. Virtual keyboard 4610 may be any suitablevirtual keyboard, including any of or combinations of the virtualkeyboards described above in connection with FIGS. 43, 44 and 45.

Display screen 4600 may include Username tag 4620 for identifyingUsername field 4624. The user may enter a username in Username field4624 by selecting characters from virtual keyboard 4610 with wand 4640.Display screen 4600 may include Password tag 4622 for identifyingPassword field 4626. The user may enter a username in Username field4626 by selecting characters from virtual keyboard 4610 with wand 4640.In some embodiments, the user may manipulate the characters entered onUsername field 4624 and Password field 4626 similar to the manipulationsof characters entered in input boxes 4312, 4412 and 4512 of FIGS. 43,44, and 45, respectively. Once the user has finished entering usernameand password information, the user may select Submit option 4630 toprovide the authentication information to the electronic device (e.g.,to login to the media system).

FIG. 47 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for scrolling displayscreens in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Process 4700begins at step 4702. At step 4704, the media system may determine thelocation of the cursor on the screen. For example, electronic device 104(FIG. 1) may determine the current position on screen 102 (FIG. 1) atwhich it has displayed the cursor. Electronic device 104 may determinewhere to display a cursor in a plurality of manners. For example, wand106 (FIG. 1) may determine its position and orientation relative toscreen 102 (FIG. 1) by determining its position and orientation relativeto IR modules 120 and 122 (FIG. 1), and transmit the position andorientation information for electronic device 104 to place the cursor atthe portion of the screen to which wand 106 points. In some embodiments,wand 106 may determine its orientation using motion detection component208 (FIG. 2). Wand 106 may be operative to transmit its orientationinformation to electronic device 104 for electronic device 104 to updatethe position of the cursor on screen 102 based on the movementsdetermined from the motion detection component (e.g., move wand up todirect the cursor to move up).

At step 4706, the media system may determine whether the wand directedthe cursor to the top portion of the screen. For example, electronicdevice 104 may determine, based on the position and/or orientationinformation received from wand 106 at step 4704, whether wand 106 isdirected the cursor to move to the top portion of the screen. If themedia system determines that the directed the cursor to move to the topportion of the screen, process 4700 may move to step 4708.

At step 4708, the media system may determine whether the wand directedthe cursor to move beyond the top edge of the screen. For example,electronic device 104 may determine, based on the position and/ororientation information received from wand 106 at step 4704, whetherwand 106 directed the cursor to move beyond the top edge of the screen.If the media system determines that the wand did not direct the cursorto move beyond the top edge of the screen, process 4700 may move to step4710. At step 4710, the media system may scroll up the display of thescreen. For example, electronic device 104 may scroll up the display ofscreen 102, for example at a rate that is related to the distance fromthe center of the screen to the cursor corresponding to the position ofthe wand, or at a rate that is related to the amplitude, speed oracceleration of the movement of the wand.

If, at step 4708, the media system instead determines that the wanddirected the cursor to move beyond the top edge of the screen, process4700 may move to step 4712. At step 4712, the media system may page upthe display of the screen. For example, electronic device 104 may pageup the display of screen 102, for example at a rate that is related tothe distance off the screen that the wand is pointing, or at a rate thatis related to the amplitude, speed or acceleration of the movement ofthe wand.

If, at step 4706, the media system instead determines that the wand didnot direct the cursor to move to the top portion of the screen, process4700 may move to step 4714. At step 4714, the media system may determinewhether the wand directed the cursor to move to the bottom portion ofthe screen. For example, electronic device 104 may determine, based onthe position and/or orientation information received from wand 106 atstep 4704, whether wand 106 directed the cursor to move to the bottomportion of the screen. If the media system determines that the wanddirected the cursor to move to the bottom portion of the screen, process4700 may move to step 4716.

At step 4716, the media system may determine whether the wand directedthe cursor to move beyond the bottom edge of the screen. For example,electronic device 104 may determine, based on the position andorientation information received from wand 106 at step 4704, whetherwand 106 directed the cursor to move beyond the bottom edge of thescreen. If the media system determines that the wand did not directedthe cursor to move beyond the bottom edge of the screen, process 4700may move to step 4718. At step 4718, the media system may scroll downthe display of the screen. For example, electronic device 104 may scrolldown the display of screen 102, for example at a rate that is related tothe distance from the center of the screen to the cursor correspondingto the position of the wand, or at a rate that is related to theamplitude, speed or acceleration of the movement of the wand.

If, at step 4716, the media system instead determines that the wanddirected the cursor to move beyond the bottom edge of the screen,process 4700 may move to step 4720. At step 4720, the media system maypage down the display of the screen. For example, electronic device 104may page down the display of screen 102, for example at a rate that isrelated to the distance off the screen that the wand is pointing, or ata rate that is related to the amplitude, speed or acceleration of themovement of the wand.

If, at step 4714, the media system instead determines that the wand didnot direct the cursor to move to the bottom portion of the screen,process 4700 may move to step 4722. At step 4722, the media system maydetermine whether the wand directed the cursor to move to the leftportion of the screen. For example, electronic device 104 may determine,based on the position and orientation information received from wand 106at step 4704, whether wand 106 directed the cursor to move to the leftportion of the screen. If the media system determines that the wanddirected the cursor to move to the left portion of the screen, process4700 may move to step 4724.

At step 4724, the media system may determine whether the wand directedthe cursor to move beyond the left edge of the screen. For example,electronic device 104 may determine, based on the position and/ororientation information received from wand 106 at step 4704, whetherwand 106 directed the cursor to move beyond the left edge of the screen.If the media system determines that the wand did not direct the cursorto move beyond the left edge of the screen, process 4700 may move tostep 4726. At step 4726, the media system may scroll left the display ofthe screen. For example, electronic device 104 may scroll left thedisplay of screen 102, for example at a rate that is related to thedistance from the center of the screen to the cursor corresponding tothe position of the wand, or at a rate that is related to the amplitude,speed or acceleration of the movement of the wand.

If, at step 4724, the media system instead determines that the wanddirected the cursor to move to the left edge of the screen, process 4700may move to step 4728. At step 4728, the media system may page left thedisplay of the screen. For example, electronic device 104 may page leftthe display of screen 102, for example at a rate that is related to thedistance off the screen that the wand is pointing, or at a rate that isrelated to the amplitude, speed or acceleration of the movement of thewand.

If, at step 4722, the media system instead determines that the wand didnot direct the cursor to move to the left portion of the screen, process4700 may move to step 4730. At step 4730, the media system may determinewhether the wand directed the cursor to move to the right portion of thescreen. For example, electronic device 104 may determine, based on theposition and/or orientation information received from wand 106 at step4704, whether wand 106 directed the cursor to move to the right portionof the screen. If the media system determines that the wand directed thecursor to move to the right portion of the screen, process 4700 may moveto step 4732.

At step 4732, the media system may determine whether the wand directedthe cursor to move beyond the right edge of the screen. For example,electronic device 104 may determine, based on the position and/ororientation information received from wand 106 at step 4704, whetherwand 106 directed the cursor to move beyond the right edge of thescreen. If the media system determines that the wand did not direct thecursor to move beyond the right edge of the screen, process 4700 maymove to step 4734. At step 4734, the media system may scroll right thedisplay of the screen. For example, electronic device 104 may scrollright the display of screen 102, for example at a rate that is relatedto the distance from the center of the screen to the cursorcorresponding to the position of the wand, or at a rate that is relatedto the amplitude, speed or acceleration of the movement of the wand.

If, at step 4732, the media system instead determines that the wanddirected the cursor to move beyond the right edge of the screen, process4700 may move to step 4736. At step 4736, the media system may pageright the display of the screen. For example, electronic device 104 maypage right the display of screen 102, for example at a rate that isrelated to the distance beyond the screen that the wand is pointing, orat a rate that is related to the amplitude, speed or acceleration of themovement of the wand.

If, at step 4730, the media system instead determines that the wanddirected the cursor to move to the right portion of the screen, process4700 may move to step 4738 and ends.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for selectingcharacters with a keyboard application in accordance with one embodimentof the invention. Process 4800 begins at step 4802. At step 4804, themedia system may determine whether the an indication to access thekeyboard application has been provided. For example, electronic device104 (FIG. 1) may determine whether the user provided an indication withwand 106 (FIG. 1) to access the keyboard application (e.g., providing aninput with input mechanism 208, FIG. 2, or holding or moving wand 106 ina particular manner). As another example, electronic device 104 mayautomatically request the keyboard application in response to anindication to access one or more electronic device functions (e.g.,request the keyboard application for a user to login, or to purchasecontent).

If the media system determines that no indication to access the keyboardapplication has been provided, process 4800 may move to step 4806 andend. If, at step 4804, the media system instead determines that anindication to access the keyboard application has been provided, process4800 may move to step 4808. At step 4808, the media system may displayselectable characters. For example, electronic device 104 may display avirtual keyboard that may include a plurality of selectable characterson screen 102 (FIG. 1). Electronic device 104 may display the charactersin any suitable order, and in any suitable structure (e.g., differentcharacters may be provided in different displays, for example inresponse to a SHIFT key).

At step 4810, the media system may identify the character over which acursor is placed. For example, the media system may identify thecharacter over which a cursor controlled by wand 106 is placed. In someembodiments, the cursor may be displayed on the portion of the screen towhich wand 106 points. Wand 106 may determine its position andorientation relative to screen 102 by determining its position andorientation relative to IR modules 120 and 122 (FIG. 1). In someembodiments, wand 106 may determine its orientation using motiondetection component 208 (FIG. 2). Wand 106 may be operative to transmitits position and orientation information to electronic device 104 forelectronic device 104. Using the position and orientation informationreceived from wand 106, electronic device 104 may determine the portionof the screen to which wand 106 points, and thus the position of thecursor.

In some embodiments, electronic device 104 may receive an indicationfrom wand 106 of movement of the wand (e.g., movement identified bymotion detection component 208). Electronic device 104 may move thecursor based on the received indications of movement of wand 106,independent of the actual orientation of wand 106 (i.e., independent ofwhere wand 106 actually points).

At step 4812, the media system may receive a selection of the identifiedcharacter. For example, electronic device 104 may receive a userselection on an input mechanism (e.g., pressing a button), or mayidentify a user selection from a particular movement of wand 106 (e.g.,flicking wand 106, rotating wand 106 in a particular manner, or movingwand 106 a particular distance off screen 102).

At step 4814, the media system may determine whether all of thecharacters have been selected. For example, electronic device 104 maydetermine whether the user has selected an on-screen SUBMIT or SELECToption, or whether the user has otherwise indicated that all of thecharacters have been selected (e.g., a selection on an input mechanism,or a particular movement of wand 106). As another example, electronicdevice 104 may determine whether the user has selected the proper numberof characters (e.g., the user has entered the four numbers for afour-digit pin). If the media system determines that all of thecharacters have not been selected, process 4800 may return to step 4810,and identify the next character to which the wand is pointing.

If, at step 4814, the media system instead determines that allcharacters have been selected, process 4800 may move to step 4816 andend.

In some embodiments, the user may access photographs or other imagesusing an image application. FIG. 49 shows an illustrative display foraccessing an image application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display screen 4900 may include options 4910 for accessingfunctions of the media system. Options 4910 may include, for example,options to access media system applications (e.g., a video application,a music application, or an image application), media system settings,and set-up options (e.g., to set-up sources for content).

The user may select an option 4910 by placing cursor 4942 over theoption with wand 4940 and providing an indication for selecting theoption. For example, the user may provide any suitable input with wand4940 (e.g., provide an input using input mechanism 208, FIG. 2) or movewand 4940 in a particular manner (e.g., flick wand 4940, move wand 4940in a circular manner, or point wand 4940 at a particular portion ofscreen 4900) to provide a selection instruction. The media system mayindicate that an option 4910 has been selected by placing highlightregion 4944 over the selected option. In some embodiments, the user maycontrol the position of highlight region 4944 instead of or in additionto controlling cursor 4942.

FIG. 50 is an illustrative display screen of an image application inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 5000 mayinclude album options 5010 and images 5012. Album options 5012 mayinclude a listing of photo albums created by the user, or available tothe media system from one or more host devices (e.g., photo albumsstored on a remote computer that is coupled to the media system).

Images 5012 may include preview images associated with each of the albumoptions 5010. The media system may automatically change the displayedimage 5012 to correspond to the album option 5010 that is currentlyhighlighted by highlight region 5044, or the media system may onlychange the displayed image 5012 in response to a user instruction whilehighlight region 5044 is over an album option 5010 (e.g., only changethe displayed image 5012 when the user provides a PREVIEW instructionwith wand 5040).

FIGS. 51 and 52 are illustrative display screens of an image applicationin which an image may be zoomed in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display 5100 may include image 5110, which may be an imagefrom a selected album (e.g., an album selected using an album option5010, FIG. 50). Display screen 5200 may include image 5210, which may bean image from a selected album (e.g., selected using an album option5010). As described above in connection with FIGS. 14-17, the user mayzoom images 5110 and 5210 in or out, as shown by the relative size ofimages 5110 and 5210, and by the positions of wands 5140 and 5240relative to origins 5142 and 5242, respectively. In some embodiments,origins 5142 and 5242 may be the same origins. In some embodiments, theuser may control the zooming of images 5110 and 5210 using an inputmechanism operative to provide instructions in the z-axis (e.g., ascroll wheel or touch pad for the z-axis).

FIG. 53 is an illustrative display screen in which a user may move animage in an image application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display screen 5300 may include image 5310, which the usermay move in display screen 5300 in any suitable manner. For example, theuser may select image 5310 using wand 5340, and drag image 5310 bymoving wand 5340.

The user may select image 5310 in any suitable manner. For example, theuser may provide a SELECT input with wand 5340 (e.g., provide an inputusing input mechanism 208, FIG. 2) or move wand 5340 in a particularmanner (e.g., flick wand 5340, move wand 5340 in a circular manner, orpoint wand 5340 at a particular portion of screen 5300) to select image5310. If a plurality of images are displayed on screen 5300, the usermay select a particular image by placing a cursor over the particularimage and providing a SELECT instruction. In some embodiments, the mediasystem may indicate that an image has been selected by placing a cursorover the image, or by placing a highlight region over the image.

To move selected image 5310, the user may move wand 5340 such that image5310 follows the movements of wand 5340 (e.g., relative to origin 5342).For example, if the user moves wand along line 5344, as shown byconsecutive wands 5340 a, 5430 b and 5430 c, image 5310 may move alongline 5312, which may be co-linear with or proportional to line 5344.

FIG. 54 is an illustrative display screen in which a user may rotate animage in an image application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display screen 5400 may include image 5410, which the usermay rotate on display screen 5400 in any suitable manner. For example,the user may select image 5410 using wand 5440, and rotate image 5410 bymoving wand 5440.

The user may select image 5410 in any suitable manner. For example, theuser may provide a SELECT input with wand 5440 (e.g., provide an inputusing input mechanism 208, FIG. 2) or move wand 5440 in a particularmanner (e.g., flick wand 5440, move wand 5440 in a circular manner, orpoint wand 5440 at a particular portion of screen 5400) to select image5410. If a plurality of images are displayed on screen 5400, the usermay select a particular image by placing a cursor over the particularimage and providing a SELECT instruction. In some embodiments, the mediasystem may indicate that an image has been selected by placing a cursorover the image, or by placing a highlight region over the image.

To rotate selected image 5410, the user may move wand 5440 such thatimage 5410 follows the movements of wand 5440 (e.g., relative to origin5442). For example, if the user rotates wand along line 5444, as shownby consecutive wands 5440 a and 5430 b, image 5410 may rotate as shownby line 5412, which may be co-linear with or proportional to line 5444.

FIGS. 55 and 56 are illustrative display screens for cropping an imagewith an image application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display screen 5500 may include image 5510 (e.g., a rotatedimage). The user may access crop options in any suitable manner. Forexample, the user may provide an indication to access crop options usingan input mechanism of wand 5540 (e.g., provide an input using inputmechanism 208, FIG. 2), selecting an on-screen CROP OPTIONS option, ormoving wand 5540 in a particular manner to access the crop options(e.g., flick wand 5540, move wand 5540 in a circular manner, or pointwand 5540 at a particular portion of screen 5500).

In response receiving the user indication to access crop options, themedia application may display crop window 5520 on screen 5500. Cropwindow 5520 may be any suitable shape (e.g., rectangular, circular,polygonal, or irregular). The user may move or resize crop window 5520in any suitable manner, including for example by selecting crop window5520 or a portion of crop window 5520 (e.g., the right edge of cropwindow 5520) with wand 5540 and moving wand 5540.

Display screen 5600 may include cropped image 5610. Cropped image maycorrespond to the portions of image 5510 that were within crop window5520 (FIG. 55). The user may direct the media system to create croppedimage 5610 from an original image and a crop window in any suitablemanner. For example, the user may provide an input on wand 5640 (e.g.,pressing a suitable key or key sequence on input mechanism 208, FIG. 2,or selecting an on-screen CROP option) directing the media system toremove the portions of the original image that are outside the cropwindow. As another example, the user may move wand 5640 in a particularmanner (e.g., flick wand 5640, move wand 5640 in a circular manner, orpoint wand 5640 at a particular portion of screen 5600) to direct thesystem to crop the original picture.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for displayingdifferent views of images in an image application in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Process 5700 begins at step 5702. At step5704, the media system determines whether the user has provided anindication to access the image application. For example, electronicdevice 104 (FIG. 1) may determine whether the user has provided anindication to access the image application with wand 106 (FIG. 1). Theuser may provide an indication in any suitable manner, including forexample, providing an input on wand 106 (e.g., pressing a suitable keyor key sequence on input mechanism 208, FIG. 2), or moving wand 106 in aparticular manner (e.g., flicking wand 106 or moving wand 106 in acircular manner). If the media system determines that the user has notprovided an indication to access the image application, process 5700 maymove to step 5706 and end.

If, at step 5704, the media system instead determines that the user hasprovided an indication to access the image application, process 5700 maymove to step 5708. At step 5708, the media system may determine theinitial position and orientation of the wand with respect to the screen.For example, wand 106 may detect its position and orientation relativeto IR modules 120 and 122 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, wand 106 mayinstead or in addition use information received from motion detectioncomponent 206 (FIG. 2) to determine the orientation of wand 106. Wand106 may transmit the determined position and orientation information toelectronic device 104 using any suitable approach. Electronic device 104may determine the portion of screen 102 (FIG. 1) to which wand 106points using the determined position and orientation information. Insome embodiments, electronic device 104 and wand 106 may also determinethe current distance between wand 106 and screen 102, the portion ofscreen 102 to which wand 106 points, and the current amount of roll ofwand 106 from the determined position and orientation information. Insome embodiments, wand 106 may only determine its initial orientation,or process 5700 may skip step 5708.

At step 5710, the media system may identify the image over which thecursor is placed. In some embodiments, the cursor may be displayed onthe portion of the screen to which wand 106 points. Electronic device104 may then determine the portion of screen 102 to which wand 106points, and then identify the image displayed on the determined portionof screen 102.

In some embodiments, electronic device 104 may receive an indicationfrom wand 106 of movement of the wand (e.g., movement identified bymotion detection component 208). Electronic device 104 may move thecursor based on the received indications of movement of wand 106,independent of the actual orientation of wand 106 (i.e., independent ofwhere wand 106 actually points). After determining how to move thecursor, electronic device 104 may then determine the image to which thecursor points.

At step 5712, the media system may select the identified image. Forexample, electronic device 104 may automatically select an image when auser points to it (e.g., select as soon as the user points, or select inresponse to remaining pointed at an image for a given amount of time).As another example, the user may provide an instruction to select theimage (e.g., by providing an input with input mechanism 208, or bymoving wand 106 in a particular manner).

At step 5714, the media system may determine the current position andorientation of the wand. For example, wand 106 may determine its currentposition and orientation in the manner described above in connectionwith step 5708. In some embodiments, electronic device 104 and wand 106may also determine the current distance between wand 106 and screen 102,and the portion of screen 102 to which wand 106 points from thedetermined current position and orientation information.

At step 5716, the media system may determine whether the currentdistance between the wand and the screen determined at step 5714 isdifferent from the initial distance determined at step 5708. Forexample, electronic device 104 may compare the distances between wand106 and screen 102 calculated at steps 5708 and 5714. If the mediasystem determines that the current distance between the wand and thescreen is different from the initial distance, process 5700 may move tostep 5718.

At step 5718, the media system may display a different view of theselected image based on the new determined distance between the wand andthe screen. For example, if electronic device 104 determines that thecurrent distance between wand 106 and screen 102 is smaller than theinitial distance, electronic device 104 may zoom in the display of theselected image. Conversely, if electronic device 104 determines that thecurrent distance between wand 106 and screen 102 is larger than theinitial distance, electronic device 104 may zoom out the display of theselected image. In some embodiments, electronic device 104 may zoom thedisplay of the selected image based on the rate at which the distancebetween wand 106 and screen 102 changes. Process 5700 may then move tostep 5720.

In some embodiments, steps 5714, 5716 and 5718 may be replaced by steps5715 and 5717. At step 5715, the media system may determine whether theuser has provided a zoom instruction. For example, wand 106 maydetermine whether a user has provided an input in the z-direction (e.g.,with input mechanism 208). If the media system determines that the userhas provided an input to zoom, process 5700 may move to step 5717. Atstep 5717, the media system may display a different view of the selectedimage based on the zoom instruction. For example, if electronic device104 determines wand 106 has transmitted a zoom in instruction,electronic device 104 may zoom in the display of the selected image.Conversely, if electronic device 104 determines wand 106 has transmitteda zoom out instruction, electronic device 104 may zoom out the displayof the selected image. Process 5700 may then move to step 5720.

If, at step 5715, the media system instead determines that the user hasnot provided an instruction to zoom, process 5700 may move to step 5720,described below.

Process 5700 may reach step 5720 in two different manners. First, afterstep 5718 (or alternately 5717), process 5700 may move to step 5720.Second, if at step 5716 (or alternately step 5715), the media systeminstead determines that the current distance between the wand and thescreen is the same as the initial distance, process 5700 may move tostep 5720. At step 5720, the media system may determine whether the wandorientation has changed. For example, electronic device 104 maydetermine, based on the position and orientation information determinedat step 5714, whether wand 106 is pointing to the same portion of screen102 as it was at step 5706. As another example, wand 106 may determine,from motion information received from motion detection component 208,whether wand 106 has moved and whether its orientation has changed. Ifthe media system determines that the wand's orientation has changed,process 5700 may move to step 5722.

At step 5722, the media system may move the image selected at step 5712based on the new orientation of the wand. For example, electronic device104 may displace the selected image to the current portion of screen 102to which wand 106 points. As another example, electronic device 104 maydisplace the selected image based on the amount or rate by which wand106 was moved. Electronic device 104 may move the selected image in anysuitable manner. For example, electronic device 104 may automaticallymove the selected image as the user moves wand 106. As another example,electronic device 104 may only move the selected image when the userprovides an instruction to move the selected image (e.g., provides aninput with input mechanism 208, FIG. 2, or moves wand in a particularmanner) and moves wand 106. Process 5700 may then move to step 5724.

Process 5700 may reach step 5724 in two different manners. First, afterstep 5722, process 5700 may move to step 5724. Second, if at step 5720,the media system instead determines that the wand is pointing to thesame portion of the screen, process 5700 may move to step 5724. At step5724, the media system may determine whether the user has provided anindication to exit the image application. For example, electronic device104 may determine whether the user has provided an indication (e.g.,using input mechanism 208 or by moving wand 106 in a specific manner) toexit the image application. If the media system determines that the userhas provided an indication to exit the image application, process 5700may move to step 5726 and end.

If, at step 5724, the media system instead determines that the user hasnot provided an indication to exit the image application, process 5700may move back to step 5714, and the media system may determine thecurrent position and orientation of the wand. The current position andorientation previously determined at step 5714 may become the initialposition and orientation for the subsequent loop in steps 5716-5724 ofprocess 5700.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for rolling andcropping an image with an image application in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Process 5800 begins at step 5802, which maycorrespond to step 5712 of process 5700 (FIG. 57). At step 5804, themedia system may determine the current orientation of the wand. Forexample, wand 106 (FIG. 1) may instead or in addition use informationreceived from motion detection component 206 (FIG. 2) to determine theorientation of wand 106. As another example, wand 106 may instead or inaddition detect its orientation relative to IR modules 120 and 122 (FIG.1). Wand 106 may transmit the determined orientation information toelectronic device 104 (FIG. 1) using any suitable approach. In someembodiments, electronic device 104 and wand 106 may also determine thecurrent roll of wand 106 from the determined orientation information.

At step 5806, the media system may determine whether the current roll ofthe wand is different than the initial roll of the wand. For example,electronic device 104 may determine whether the initial roll of wand 106(e.g., determined from the initial wand position and orientation at step5708 of process 5700, FIG. 57) is different than the current roll ofwand 106 determined at step 5804. If the media system determines thatthe current roll of the wand is different than the initial roll of thewand, process 5800 may move to step 5808.

At step 5808, the media system may determine the amount that the wandwas rolled. For example, electronic device 104 may compare the amountsof the initial and current roll of wand 106, and determine the differentbetween the amounts. At step 5810, the media system may rotate the imagepreviously selected (e.g., selected at step 5712 of process 5700, FIG.57) by an amount related to the amount of roll determined at step 5808.Electronic device 104 may rotate the selected image in any suitablemanner. For example, electronic device 104 may automatically rotate theselected image as the user rolls wand 106. As another example,electronic device 104 may only rotate the selected image when the userprovides an instruction to rotate the selected image (e.g., provides aninput with input mechanism 208, FIG. 2, or moves wand in a particularmanner) and rolls wand 106. Process 5800 may then move to step 5812.

Process 5800 may reach step 5812 in two different manners. First, afterstep 5810, process 5800 may move to step 5812. Second, if at step 5806,the media system instead determines that the determines that the currentroll of the wand is the same as the initial roll of the wand, process5800 may move to step 5812. At step 5812, the media system may determinewhether the user has provided an instruction to crop an image. Forexample, electronic device 104 may determine whether the user hasprovided an indication (e.g., using input mechanism 208 or by movingwand 106 in a specific manner) to access crop options. If the mediasystem determines that the user has provided an indication to accesscrop options, process 5800 may move to step 5814.

At step 5814, the media system may determine the amount and portions ofthe selected image to crop based on the user's wand movements. Forexample, electronic device 104 may display a crop window that the usermay manipulate using wand 106. In particular, the user may displace thecrop window by selecting the crop window and moving wand 106. The usermay also change the shape of the crop window by selecting a side orelement of the crop window, and moving wand 106.

At step 5816, the media system may crop the selected image based on thecrop window controlled at step 5814. For example, electronic device 104may remove the portions of the selected image that lie outside of theboundaries of the crop window manipulated at step 5814. Electronicdevice 104 may display the remaining portions of the selected image onscreen 102. Process 5800 may then move to step 5818.

Process 5800 may reach step 5818 in two different manners. First, afterstep 5816, process 5800 may move to step 5818. Second, if at step 5812,the media system instead determines that the determines that the userhas not provided an instruction to crop an image, process 5800 may moveto step 5818. At step 5818, the media system may determine whether theuser has provided an indication to exit the image application. Forexample, electronic device 104 may determine whether the user hasprovided an indication (e.g., using input mechanism 208 or by movingwand 106 in a specific manner) to exit the image application. If themedia system determines that the user has provided an indication to exitthe image application, process 5800 may move to step 5820 and ends.

If, at step 5818, the media system instead determines that the user hasnot provided an indication to exit the image application, process 5800may move back to step 5804, and the media system may determine thecurrent position and orientation of the wand. The current position andorientation previously determined at step 5804 may become the initialposition and orientation for the subsequent loop in steps 5806-5818 ofprocess 5800.

In some embodiments, the user may draw images or create designs using anillustration application. FIG. 59 shows an illustrative display foraccessing an illustration application in accordance with one embodimentof the invention. Display screen 5900 may include selectable options5910 that the user may select by placing cursor 5912 over a particularoption (e.g., by pointing wand 5940 at the particular option). When auser selects an option, the electronic device may display highlightregion 5914 to indicate to the user that the option has been selected.The user may select the option in any suitable manner including, forexample, providing a selection on an input mechanism (e.g., pressing abutton), or moving wand 5940 in a particular manner (e.g., flicking wand5940, rotating wand 5940 in a particular manner, or moving wand 5940 aparticular distance off screen 5900).

FIG. 60 is an illustrative display screen of an illustration applicationin accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 6000may include drawing surface 6010 on which a user may draw or create adesign. To draw line 6022, the user may control pen 6020 with wand 6040.Pen 6020 may be operative to follow the movements of wand 6040 such thatas the user moves wand 6040, pen 6040 may be successively displayed anddraw a line that follows the motion of wand 6040 (e.g., on the portionsof drawing surface 6010 to which wand 6040 successively points).

To allow the user to pick up pen 6020, and draw discontinuous lines, pen6020 may only write when the user provides a suitable instruction. Forexample, pen 6020 may only draw when the user simultaneously provides aninstruction to draw (e.g., provides an input with input mechanism 208,FIG. 2, or moves wand in a particular manner) and moves wand 106. Asanother example, pen 6020 may only draw once the user has provided aninstruction to draw (e.g., provides an input with input mechanism 208,FIG. 2, or moves wand in a particular manner), and ceases drawing oncethe user provides an instruction to stop drawing (e.g., provides thesame or another input with input mechanism 208, FIG. 2, or moves wand ina particular manner).

FIG. 61 is an illustrative display screen of options available to a userin an illustration application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display screen 6100 may include drawing surface 6110 and line6122. Display screen may also include illustration options 6130 and6132, which may be any suitable option for drawing or creating a design.For example, illustration options 6130 and 6132 may include options forcolors, drawing tools, layers, effects, or any other suitable optionthat may be desirable for drawing or creating a design.

The user may access options 6130 and 6132 in any suitable manner. Forexample, the user may provide an OPTIONS instruction using an inputmechanism on wand 6140 (e.g., input mechanism 208, FIG. 2). As anotherexample, the user may select on on-screen OPTIONS option. As stillanother example, the user may move wand 6140 in a particular manner(e.g., flicking wand 6140, rotating wand 6140 in a particular manner, ormoving wand 6140 a particular distance off screen 6100).

FIG. 62 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for accessing andusing an illustration application in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention. Process 6200 begins at step 6202. At step 6204, the mediasystem may determine whether the user has provided an indication toaccess the illustration application. For example, electronic device 104(FIG. 1) may determine whether the user has provided an indication toaccess the illustration application with wand 106 (FIG. 1). The user mayprovide an indication in any suitable manner, including for example,providing an input on wand 106 (e.g., pressing a suitable key or keysequence on input mechanism 208, FIG. 2), or moving wand 106 in aparticular manner (e.g., flicking wand 106 or moving wand 106 in acircular manner). If the media system determines that the user has notprovided an indication to access the illustration application, process6200 may move to step 6206 and end.

If, at step 6204, the media system instead determines that the user hasprovided an indication to access the image application, process 6200 maymove to step 6208. At step 6208, the media system may display a drawingpage. For example, electronic device 104 may, under the direction of theillustration application, display a drawing page on screen 102 (FIG. 1).

At step 6210, the media guidance application may receive an instructionto draw an image. For example, electronic device 104 may receive anindication from wand 106 (e.g., the user pressing a button on inputmechanism 208, or the user moving wand 106 in a particular manner). Atstep 6212, the media guidance may determine the movement of the wand.For example, wand 106 may detect its successive positions and/ororientations relative to IR modules 120 and 122 (FIG. 1). In someembodiments, wand 106 may instead or in addition use informationreceived from motion detection component 206 (FIG. 2) to determine thesuccessive orientations of wand 106. Wand 106 may transmit thedetermined position and/or orientation information to electronic device104 using any suitable approach so that electronic device 104 maydetermine the portion of screen 102 (FIG. 1) to which wand 106 points.

At step 6214, the media system may draw the lines of an image by drawinglines along the portions of the screen to which the wand points. Forexample, electronic device 104 may draw lines on the portions of thescreens to which wand 106 points based on the successive positions andorientations determined at step 6212.

At step 6214, the media system may determine whether the user hasprovided an indication to exit the illustration application. Forexample, electronic device 104 may determine whether the user hasprovided an indication (e.g., using input mechanism 208 or by movingwand 106 in a specific manner) to exit the illustration application. Ifthe media system determines that the user has provided an indication toexit the illustration application, process 6200 may move to step 6218and end.

If, at step 6216, the media system instead determines that the user hasnot provided an indication to exit the illustration application, process6200 may move back to step 6212 and the media system may continues todetermine the movement of the wand.

In some embodiments, the user may access and play back media (e.g.,music and video) using a media application. FIG. 63 shows anillustrative display for accessing a media application in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention. Display screen 6300 may includeoptions 6310 for accessing functions of the media system. Options 6310may include, for example, options to access media system applications(e.g., a media application or an image application), media systemsettings, and set-up options (e.g., to set-up sources for content). Insome embodiments, the user may access the media application by selectingto view different types of media (e.g., movies, TV shows, music andpodcasts options 6310). In some embodiments, the media system mayinclude different media applications for different types of media.

The user may select an option 6310 by placing cursor 6342 over theoption with wand 6340 and providing an indication for selecting theoption. For example, the user may provide any suitable input with wand6340 (e.g., provide an input using input mechanism 208, FIG. 2) or movewand 6340 in a particular manner (e.g., flick wand 6340, move wand 6340in a circular manner, or point wand 6340 at a particular portion ofscreen 6300) to provide a selection indication. The media system mayindicate that an option 6310 has been selected by placing highlightregion 6344 over the selected option. In some embodiments, the user maycontrol the position of highlight region 6344 instead of or in additionto controlling cursor 6342.

FIGS. 64-71 are illustrative displays of a media application inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. The displays of thesefigures include illustrative options and information related to playingback music. It will be understood, however, that similar displays may beused for any other suitable type of media.

FIG. 64 is an illustrative display screen of a media application inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 6400 mayinclude media selection options 6410 and previews 6412. Media selectionoptions 6410 may include a listing of media categories for organizingmedia available to the media system from one or more electronic devices.The media categories may include, for example, titles, artists, albums,genres, media length, source, or any other suitable categories. The usermay select a media selection option 6410 in any suitable mannerincluding, for example, placing cursor 6442 over media selection option6410 and providing a selection instruction.

Previews 6412 may include preview images or video clips associated withmedia selection options 6410. The media system may automatically changethe displayed preview 6412 to correspond to the media selection option6410 that is currently highlighted by highlight region 6444. In someembodiments, the media system may only change the displayed preview 6412in response to a user instruction while highlight region 6444 is over amedia selection option 6410 (e.g., only change the displayed preview6412 when the user provides a PREVIEW instruction with wand 6440).

FIG. 65 is an illustrative display screen of a media playlist providedby a media application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display screen 6500 may include playlist 6510 of media thatthe user may direct the media system to playback. The user may select aparticular item from playlist 6510 by placing cursor 6542 over the itemand providing a selection instruction. For example, the user may providean input using an input mechanism or the user may move wand 6540 in aparticular manner. The media guidance application may indicate that anitem of listing 6510 has been selected by displaying highlight region6540 over the item. In response to a selection of a media item, themedia application may play back the media item, display additionalinformation about the selected media item, or perform any other suitableoperation

Display screen 6500 may include illustration 6512 that is related to anitem from playlist 6510. Illustration 6512 may be any suitable image orvideo, for example a poster, album art, or music video for an item ofplaylist 6510. The media system may automatically change the displayedillustration 6512 to correspond to a selected item from playlist 6510.In some embodiments, the media system may only change the displayedillustration 6512 in response to a user instruction while highlightregion 6544 is over an item of playlist 6510 (e.g., only change theillustration 6512 when the user provides a SELECT instruction with wand6540).

FIGS. 66 to 71 are illustrative display screens by which a user maycontrol the operation of a media application in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. FIG. 66 is an illustrative display by whicha user may play or pause media using a media application in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention. Display 6600 may include mediainformation 6610 and illustration 6612. Media information may includeany suitable information about the media including, for example, thetitle, artist, album, date, or any other information. Illustration 6612may be any suitable image or video related to the media. For example,illustration 6612 may include a poster, album art, music video, or anyother suitable illustration. Display 6600 may include media progress bar6620. Progress bar 6620 may include information related to the length ofthe media and to the current position of the media (e.g., an indicationof time left, and a progress marker). Progress bar 6620 may include icon6622 indicating the current operation performed by the media application(e.g., play/pause icon 6622).

The user may direct the media application to pause or play media in anysuitable manner. For example, the user may move wand 6640 in aparticular manner (e.g., twist or flick wand 6640 in a particulardirection). As another example, the user may move wand 6640 to point toa particular portion of screen 6600. In the example of FIG. 66, the usermay move wand 6640 such that cursor 6642 is placed at the top of thescreen to direct the media application to play and pause the media. Forexample, the user may point wand 6640 at the top portion of screen 6600,or the user may move wand 6640 up to move cursor 6642 to the top ofscreen 6600. In some embodiments, the media application may require theuser to simultaneously move wand 6640 and provide an input (e.g., usingan input mechanism or by flicking or twisting the wand) to play or pausethe media.

FIG. 67 is an illustrative display by which a user may stop media usinga media application in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Display 6700 may include media information 6710, illustration 6712, andprogress bar 6720, which may include some or all of the features ofmedia information 6610, illustration 6612, and progress bar 6620 (FIG.66). Progress bar 6720 may include icon 6722 indicating the currentoperation performed by the media application (e.g., stop icon 6722).

The user may direct the media application to stop media in any suitablemanner. For example, the user may move wand 6740 in a particular manner(e.g., twist or flick wand 6740 in a particular direction). As anotherexample, the user may move wand 6740 to point to a particular portion ofscreen 6700. In the example of FIG. 67, the user may move wand 6740 suchthat cursor 6742 is placed at the bottom of the screen to direct themedia application to stop the media. For example, the user may pointwand 6740 at the bottom portion of screen 6700, or the user may movewand 6740 down to move cursor 6742 to the bottom of screen 6700. In someembodiments, the media application may require the user tosimultaneously move wand 6740 and provide an input (e.g., using an inputmechanism or by flicking or twisting the wand) to stop the media.

FIG. 68 is an illustrative display by which a user may fast forwardmedia using a media application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display 6800 may include media information 6810, illustration6812, and progress bar 6820, which may include some or all of thefeatures of media information 6610, illustration 6612, and progress bar6620 (FIG. 66). Progress bar 6820 may include icon 6822 indicating thecurrent operation performed by the media application (e.g., fast forwardicon 6822).

The user may direct the media application to fast forward media in anysuitable manner. For example, the user may move wand 6840 in aparticular manner (e.g., twist or flick wand 6840 in a particulardirection). As another example, the user may move wand 6840 to point toa particular portion of screen 6800. In the example of FIG. 68, the usermay move wand 6840 such that cursor 6842 is placed at the right of thescreen to direct the media application to fast forward the media. Forexample, the user may point wand 6840 at the right portion of screen6800, or the user may move wand 6840 right to move cursor 6842 to thetop of screen 6800. In some embodiments, the media application mayrequire the user to simultaneously move wand 6840 and provide an input(e.g., using an input mechanism or by flicking or twisting the wand) tofast forward the media.

FIG. 69 is an illustrative display by which a user may rewind mediausing a media application in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display 6900 may include media information 6910, illustration6912, and progress bar 6920, which may include some or all of thefeatures of media information 6610, illustration 6612, and progress bar6620 (FIG. 66). Progress bar 6920 may include icon 6922 indicating thecurrent operation performed by the media application (e.g., rewind icon6922).

The user may direct the media application to rewind media in anysuitable manner. For example, the user may move wand 6940 in aparticular manner (e.g., twist or flick wand 6940 in a particulardirection). As another example, the user may move wand 6940 to point toa particular portion of screen 6900. In the example of FIG. 69, the usermay move wand 6940 such that cursor 6942 is placed at the left of thescreen to direct the media application to rewind the media. For example,the user may point wand 6940 at the left portion of screen 6900, or theuser may move wand 6940 up to move cursor 6942 to the left of screen6900. In some embodiments, the media application may require the user tosimultaneously move wand 6940 and provide an input (e.g., using an inputmechanism or by flicking or twisting the wand) to rewind the media.

FIG. 70 is an illustrative display by which a user may skip to a nextmedia item using a media application in accordance with one embodimentof the invention. Display 7000 may include media information 7010,illustration 7012, and progress bar 7020, which may include some or allof the features of media information 6610, illustration 6612, andprogress bar 6620 (FIG. 66). Progress bar 7020 may include icon 7022indicating the current operation performed by the media application(e.g., next icon 6822).

The user may direct the media application to skip to a next media item(e.g., the next item of a playlist) in any suitable manner. For example,the user may move wand 7040 in a particular manner (e.g., twist or flickwand 7040 in a particular direction). As another example, the user maymove wand 7040 to point to a particular portion of screen 7000. In theexample of FIG. 70, the user may move wand 7040 such that cursor 7042 isplaced at the right edge of the screen to direct the media applicationto skip to a next media item. For example, the user may point wand 7040beyond the right portion of screen 7000, or the user may move wand 7040right to move cursor 6642 to the far right of screen 7000 (e.g., movewand 7040 faster or farther than the wand was moved to fast-forwardmedia, as shown in FIG. 68). In some embodiments, cursor 7042 may bedifferent than cursor 6842 (FIG. 68) to help the user differentiatebetween the fast forward and next operations. In some embodiments, themedia application may require the user to simultaneously move wand 7040and provide an input (e.g., using an input mechanism or by flicking ortwisting the wand) to skip to a next media item.

FIG. 71 is an illustrative display by which a user may skip to aprevious media item using a media application in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Display 7100 may include media information7110, illustration 7112, and progress bar 7120, which may include someor all of the features of media information 6610, illustration 6612, andprogress bar 6620 (FIG. 66). Progress bar 7120 may include icon 7122indicating the current operation performed by the media application(e.g., previous icon 6822).

The user may direct the media application to skip to a previous mediaitem (e.g., a previous item of a playlist) in any suitable manner. Forexample, the user may move wand 7140 in a particular manner (e.g., twistor flick wand 7140 in a particular direction). As another example, theuser may move wand 7140 to point to a particular portion of screen 7100.In the example of FIG. 71, the user may move wand 7140 such that cursor7142 is placed at the left edge of the screen to direct the mediaapplication to skip to a previous media item. For example, the user maypoint wand 7140 beyond the right portion of screen 7100, or the user maymove wand 7140 left to move cursor 6642 to the far left of screen 7100(e.g., move wand 7140 faster or farther than the wand was moved torewind media, as shown in FIG. 69). In some embodiments, cursor 7142 maybe different than cursor 6942 (FIG. 69) to help the user differentiatebetween the rewind and previous operations. In some embodiments, themedia application may require the user to simultaneously move wand 7140and provide an input (e.g., using an input mechanism or by flicking ortwisting the wand) to skip to a previous media item.

FIG. 72 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for controlling amedia application in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Process 7200 begins at step 7202. At step 7204, the media system maydetermine whether the user has provided an indication to access themedia application. For example, electronic device 104 (FIG. 1) maydetermine whether the user has provided an indication to access themedia application with wand 106 (FIG. 1). The user may provide anindication in any suitable manner, including for example, providing aninput on wand 106 (e.g., pressing a suitable key or key sequence oninput mechanism 208, FIG. 2), or moving wand 106 in a particular manner(e.g., flicking wand 106 or moving wand 106 in a circular manner). Ifthe media system determines that the user has not provided an indicationto access the media application, process 7200 may move to step 7206 andend.

If, at step 7204, the media system instead determines that the user hasprovided an indication to access the media application, process 7200 maymove to step 7208. At step 7208, the media system may determine whetherthe user has provided an indication to exit the media application. Forexample, electronic device 104 may determine whether the user hasprovided an indication to exit the media application with wand 106. Theuser may provided an indication in any suitable manner, including forexample, providing an input on wand 106 (e.g., pressing a suitable keyor key sequence on input mechanism 208), or moving wand 106 in aparticular manner (e.g., flicking wand 106 or moving wand 106 in acircular manner). If the media system determines that the user hasprovided an indication to exit the media application, process 7200 maymove to step 7210 and end.

If, at step 7208, the media system instead determines that the user hasnot provided an indication to exit the media application, process 7200may move to step 7212. At step 7212, the media system may receive a userinput. For example, electronic device 104 may receive an input from wand106. The user may provide any suitable input, including for example,providing an input on wand 106, moving wand 106 in a particular manner,or combinations of these (e.g., pressing a button and flicking wand106).

At step 7214, the media system may determine whether the input receivedat step 7212 is an instruction to play or pause media. For example,electronic device 104 may determine whether the user has provided aninput that is associated with the play or pause instruction. The play orpause instruction may be any suitable instruction, including for exampledirecting a cursor to move to the top portion of screen 102 (FIG. 1) bypointing wand 106 to that portion of screen 102 or by moving wand 106 ina particular manner (e.g., up). If the media system determines that theinstruction received at step 7212 is to play or pause media, process7200 may move to step 7216. At step 7216, the media system may play orpause media. For example, electronic device 104 may play or pause media(e.g., the media currently selected or displayed on screen 102). Process7200 may then move back to step 7208, and the media system may monitoruser interactions with the wand.

If, at step 7214, the media system instead determines that the inputreceived at step 7212 is not an instruction to play or pause media,process 7200 may move to step 7218. At step 7218, the media system maydetermine whether the input received at step 7212 is an instruction tostop currently playing media. For example, electronic device 104 maydetermine whether the user has provided an input that is associated withthe stop instruction. The stop instruction may be any suitableinstruction, including for example directing a cursor to move to thebottom portion of screen 102 by pointing wand 106 to that portion ofscreen 102 or by moving wand 106 in a particular manner (e.g., down). Ifthe media system determines that the instruction received at step 7212is to stop currently playing media, process 7200 may move to step 7220.At step 7220, the media system may stop the media. For example,electronic device 104 may stop the currently played media. Process 7200may then move back to step 7208, and the media system may monitor userinteractions with the wand.

If, at step 7218, the media system instead determines that the inputreceived at step 7212 is not an instruction to stop currently playingmedia, process 7200 may move to step 7222. At step 7222, the mediasystem may determine whether the input received at step 7212 is aninstruction to fast forward media. For example, electronic device 104may determine whether the user has provided an input that is associatedwith the fast forward instruction. The fast forward instruction may beany suitable instruction, including for example directing a cursor tomove to the right portion of screen 102 by pointing wand 106 to thatportion of screen 102 or by moving wand 106 in a particular manner(e.g., right). If the media system determines that the instructionreceived at step 7212 is to fast forward media, process 7200 may move tostep 7224. At step 7224, the media system may fast forward the media.For example, electronic device 104 may fast forward the currently playedmedia. Process 7200 may then move back to step 7208, and the mediasystem may monitor user interactions with the wand.

If, at step 7222, the media system instead determines that the inputreceived at step 7212 is not an instruction to fast forward media,process 7200 may move to step 7226. At step 7226, the media system maydetermine whether the input received at step 7212 is an instruction torewind media. For example, electronic device 104 may determine whetherthe user has provided an input that is associated with the rewindinstruction. The rewind instruction may be any suitable instruction,including for example directing a cursor to move to the left portion ofscreen 102 by pointing wand 106 to that portion of screen 102 or bymoving wand 106 in a particular manner (e.g., left). If the media systemdetermines that the instruction received at step 7212 is to rewindmedia, process 7200 may move to step 7228. At step 7228, the mediasystem may rewind the media. For example, electronic device 104 mayrewind the currently played media. Process 7200 may then move back tostep 7208, and the media system may monitor user interactions with thewand.

If, at step 7226, the media system instead determines that the inputreceived at step 7212 is not an instruction to rewind media, process7200 may move to step 7230. At step 7230, the media system may determinewhether the input received at step 7212 is an instruction to skip to thenext media item. For example, electronic device 104 may determinewhether the user has provided an input that is associated with the nextinstruction. The next instruction may be any suitable instruction,including for example directing a cursor to move to the right portion ofscreen 102 by pointing wand 106 off of the right portion of screen 102or by moving wand 106 in a particular manner (e.g., far right). If themedia system determines that the instruction received at step 7212 is toskip to the next media item, process 7200 may move to step 7232. At step7232, the media system may skip to the next media item. For example,electronic device 104 may skip to the next item of the currentlyselected playlist (e.g., a playlist previously selected when the userstarted playing media). If the current media item is the last of theplaylist, electronic device 104 may either stop playing the media, ormay skip to the first item of the playlist. Process 7200 may then moveback to step 7208, and the media system may monitor user interactionswith the wand.

If, at step 7230, the media system instead determines that the inputreceived at step 7212 is not an instruction to skip to the next mediaitem, process 7200 may move to step 7234. At step 7234, the media systemmay determine whether the input received at step 7212 is an instructionto skip to the previous media item. For example, electronic device 104may determine whether the user has provided an input that is associatedwith the previous instruction. The previous instruction may be anysuitable instruction, including for example directing a cursor to moveto the left portion of screen 102 by pointing wand 106 off of the leftportion of screen 102 or by moving wand 106 in a particular manner(e.g., far left). If the media system determines that the instructionreceived at step 7212 is to skip to the previous media item, process7200 may move to step 7236. At step 7236, the media system may skip tothe previous media item. For example, electronic device 104 may skip tothe previous item of the currently selected playlist (e.g., a playlistpreviously selected when the user started playing media). If the currentmedia item is the first of the playlist, electronic device 104 mayeither stop playing the media, or may skip to the last item of theplaylist. Process 7200 may then moves back to step 7208, and the mediasystem may monitor user interactions with the wand.

If, at step 7230, the media system instead determines that the inputreceived at step 7212 is not an instruction to skip to the previousmedia item, process 7200 may move to step 7208, and the media system maycontinue to monitor user interactions with the wand.

The above described embodiments of the present invention are presentedfor purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the presentinvention is limited only by the claims which follow.

1. A method for entering text in a media system comprising an electronicdevice and a wand, comprising: displaying a plurality of selectablecharacters; navigating a cursor to a particular selectable characterbased on the output of a motion detection component of the wand; andreceiving a selection of the particular selectable character.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the motion detection component comprises atleast one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving a selection of a displayed option foraccessing a character listing; and wherein displaying further comprisesdisplaying in response to receiving the selection of the displayedoption.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising wherein displayingfurther comprises a first set of characters in response to receiving theselection of the displayed option
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thefirst set of characters comprises only letters.
 6. The method of claim4, wherein the first set of characters comprises only numbers andpunctuation marks.
 7. A media system for selecting characters,comprising an electronic device, a screen and a wand operative tocontrol the movement of a cursor displayed on the screen, the electronicdevice comprising: directing the display to display a first iconassociated with a first character list; move a cursor displayed on thescreen based on a received transmission from the wand comprising theoutput of at least one motion detection component of the wand; determinethat the cursor has been placed over the first icon; direct the displayto display the first character list in response to determining; navigatethe cursor over a character of the first character list based on areceived transmission from the wand comprising the output of the atleast one motion detection component; identify the character of thefirst character list over which the cursor has been navigated; andselect the identified character.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein theelectronic device is further operative to: direct the display to displaya second icon associated with a second character list; displace thecursor over the second icon based on a received transmission from thewand comprising the output of the at least one motion detectioncomponent; and direct the display to display the second character listin response to displacing.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein theelectronic device is further operative to direct the display to removethe first character list from display in response to displacing.
 10. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the electronic device is further operativeto: display a prompt for the user to enter a password; and select thecharacter for the password.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein theelectronic device is further operative to receive a request to access akeyboard application from the wand.
 12. A method for controlling theoperation of an image application provided by a media system comprisinga screen and a wand, the method comprising: displaying an image on thescreen; detecting a rotation of the wand; and rotating the selectedimage in response to detecting.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising receiving a selection of the image.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein detecting further comprises: receiving a transmission fromthe wand comprising the output of at least one motion detectioncomponent incorporated in the wand; and detecting that the wand wasrotated based on the received transmission.
 15. The method of claim 12,further comprising: receiving an input provided using an input mechanismimplemented in the wand; and performing a zoom operation in response toreceiving.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving arequest transmitted from the wand to access crop options; and displayingcrop options on the screen in response to receiving.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the crop options comprise a deformable crop window.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving a userselection of at least one edge of the deformable crop window; receivinga transmission from the wand comprising the output of at least onemotion detection component; and displacing the selected at least oneedge of the deformable crop window based on the received output.
 19. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising: displaying a drawing page on thedisplay screen; receiving a transmission from the wand, the transmissioncomprising the output of the at least one motion detection component;moving the cursor on the drawing page based on the received output; anddrawing a line connecting the successive positions of the cursor. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving a user selection ofa color for the line.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprisingreceiving a user selection of a thickness for the line.
 22. Amachine-readable medium for controlling the operation of an imageapplication provided by a media system comprising a screen and a wand,comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for: displaying animage on the screen; detecting a rotation of the wand; and rotating theselected image in response to detecting.
 23. The machine-readable mediumof claim 22, further comprising additional machine program logicrecorded thereon for receiving a selection of the image.
 24. Themachine-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising additionalmachine program logic recorded thereon for: receiving a transmissionfrom the wand comprising the output of at least one motion detectioncomponent incorporated in the wand; and detecting that the wand wasrotated based on the received transmission.
 25. The machine-readablemedium of claim 22, further comprising additional machine program logicrecorded thereon for: receiving an input provided using an inputmechanism implemented in the wand; and performing a zoom operation inresponse to receiving.